Stakeholders from Askira/Uba Local Government Area of Borno State have appealed to the abductors of 42 schoolchildren to release them unconditionally, saying the victims are innocent children who should not be subjected to the trauma of captivity.
The stakeholders, led by the Deputy Speaker of the Borno State House of Assembly, Abdullahi Askira, made the appeal in Maiduguri on Monday, expressing concern over the prolonged detention of the pupils and students who have remained in captivity for three weeks.
According to Askira, the continued detention of the children has subjected their families and communities to deep anxiety and emotional distress.
He described the three-week ordeal as agonising, particularly given the young age of the victims.
“We passionately appeal to the conscience of those behind this heinous act: these are children, not soldiers or politicians. They are the future of Borno and Nigeria.
“We urge you to fear Almighty God and release them unconditionally. Children must never be used as bargaining chips,” he said.
The lawmaker noted that community leaders had exercised restraint since the abduction, trusting that the government and security agencies were working tirelessly to secure the children’s release.
“As stakeholders, we have remained patient and silent for these past three weeks, firmly believing that the government and our gallant security forces were doing everything within their power to secure the swift rescue of our children.
“However, that patience has now given way to deep anxiety and worry,” he added.
Askira, however, commended President Bola Tinubu and Governor Babagana Zulum for their efforts to restore peace and address security challenges in the state.
“We wish to commend the untiring efforts of the President and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, Senator Bola Ahmed Tinubu, for his sustained commitment to restoring peace across the nation.
“We also commend Governor Babagana Umara Zulum for his immediate visit to Askira/Uba to sympathise with the families of the victims and reassure them of government’s support,” he said.
The stakeholders also called for enhanced security measures in Askira/Uba, citing the area’s proximity to the Sambisa Forest, long regarded as a hideout for insurgent groups.
According to Askira, the geographical location of the council makes its communities particularly vulnerable to attacks.
“Furthermore, we must address the urgent need for a more robust security presence. Askira/Uba Local Government shares immediate borders with the fringes of the Sambisa Forest, making our communities uniquely vulnerable.
“Given this precarious geography, we request the immediate establishment of a permanent and fortified security architecture, including strengthened school security, rapid-response units, forward operating bases and sustained patrols to provide the protection our people desperately need,” he stated.
The appeal comes amid growing concerns over the resurgence of attacks on schools and communities in parts of Borno State despite ongoing military operations against insurgents.
Arewa PUNCH reports that 42 pupils and students were abducted on May 16 after suspected Boko Haram terrorists attacked Mussa Primary and Junior Secondary School in Askira/Uba Local Government Area.
The incident reignited fears over the safety of schools in the North-East, where thousands of children have been affected by insurgency-related violence over the past decade.
Although security agencies have intensified efforts to rescue the victims, the children were yet to regain their freedom as of the time of filing this report, prompting renewed appeals from community leaders and families for their immediate release.
