Borno community demands rescue of 78 abducted schoolchildren, teacher

The Marghi community in Borno State has appealed to the Federal Government and Governor Babagana Zulum for the rescue of the 78 schoolchildren and a teacher abducted by suspected Boko Haram terrorists.

The victims were kidnapped during two separate attacks on Mussa and Lassa communities in Askira/Uba Local Government Area.

On May 16, terrorists abducted 42 students from Mussa Primary and Junior Secondary School, followed by a second attack on June 29 at Government Day Secondary School in Lassa, where 36 students and one teacher were taken.

The Secretary of the Marghi community, Malla Gadzama, while addressing a press conference on Thursday in Abuja, urged authorities not to abandon the victims who have spent five months in terrorist enclaves. He stated that every passing day brings the same painful questions from devastated parents.

“Where are our children? How are they surviving? When will they return?” Gadzama asked.

He explained that the children were not committing any offence or wandering around the community, but were abducted within their school premises while seeking knowledge for a better future.

“What was their crime? Is it now a crime to go to school? Why has the pursuit of knowledge, education and a purpose exposed children to hazard and captivity?”

He revealed that the abducted teacher is a mother and a wife, whose household is waiting desperately for her safe return.

According to Gadzama, what the affected families need now is sustained action, meaningful communication, and most importantly, the safe return of their loved ones.

He also stated that no community should be forgotten and no child should become invisible because of their geographical location.

“Our families have held on to hope through tears and sleepless nights. Their strength is weakening; their faith is being tested daily… Please, Mr President, bring our children home.”

The community urged President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to mobilise security and intelligence agencies to secure the victims’ release, while calling on Governor Zulum to prioritise their rescue in all engagements with the Federal Government.