Parents of the 42 schoolchildren abducted by Boko Haram terrorists in Mussa, Askira-Uba Local Government Area of Borno State, have made an emotional appeal to President Bola Tinubu and Governor Babagana Zulum to intensify efforts to secure the children’s release, 25 days after they were taken from their school.
The grieving parents described the past weeks as a period of fear, uncertainty, and emotional trauma, saying their families have been left devastated while their children remain in captivity.
The pupils were abducted on May 15, 2026, when suspected Boko Haram terrorists stormed Mussa Primary and Junior Secondary School, seizing dozens of students and pupils during the attack.
According to reports, 32 children were taken from the school premises, while 10 others were abducted from nearby homes, bringing the total number of captives to 42.
Speaking on behalf of affected families, several parents recounted how what began as a normal school day suddenly turned into a nightmare that has continued for nearly a month.
A farmer, Tafinda James, who has three children among those abducted, said he dropped them off at school before heading to his farm, only to later receive news that terrorists had invaded the community.
“From that moment, it appeared as if my world had come to an end. We have waited in pain and agony for the past 25 days without any update or clue from the government about the whereabouts of our abducted children,” he said.
James appealed directly to President Tinubu and Governor Zulum to urgently mobilise more troops and intelligence resources to secure the release of the children before the situation worsens.
Another parent, Sule Baba Musa, whose two children are among the captives, said the incident has deepened the suffering of families already living under the constant threat of insurgent attacks.
“I am pleading with the Federal Government and Governor Zulum to listen to our cry and work earnestly for the rescue of our children. Some parents have stopped sending their children to school because no certificate is worth losing a life,” he lamented.
The parents said fear has now spread across the community, with many families withdrawing their children from school over concerns that similar attacks could happen again.
Also speaking, Adamu Garba, whose child remains among the abductees, said residents are tired of repeated promises and now want visible action.
“What we want now is visible security and a clear plan from both the federal and state governments to bring our children home,” he said.
Community leaders in Mussa have also joined the call, warning that the prolonged captivity of the children is already affecting education, farming activities, and economic life in the area.
Through their spokesperson, Pastor Simon Kyelimi, residents urged security agencies to intensify search-and-rescue operations and deploy additional troops to forest corridors believed to be used by insurgents.
“We are tired of promises. Our children must return home,” the community declared.
Meanwhile, the lawmaker representing Askira-Uba/Hawul Federal Constituency, Hon. Usman Midala Balami, has called on the Federal Government and security agencies to take decisive action to secure the children’s release.
Speaking at the House of Representatives, Balami stressed that urgent and coordinated efforts were needed to free the abducted pupils and reunite them with their families.
“I urge the Federal Government and all relevant security agencies to take immediate and decisive action to rescue the 42 abducted pupils and all other persons currently held in captivity,” he said.
In response to the incident, the Borno State Government has ordered the temporary closure of the affected school and directed that students be relocated to safer schools within the local government area under the Safe Schools Initiative.
The abduction is being described as the first major school kidnapping in Borno State since the infamous 2014 Chibok schoolgirls abduction, raising fresh concerns about the security of schools in conflict-affected communities.
