Thirteen days after the abduction of schoolchildren and teachers in Borno and Oyo States, the victims remain in captivity, with no contact from the abductors, heightening fears over their safety.

Parents of the victims, residents of the affected communities and activists have continued to express concern over the whereabouts of the abductees as Nigeria marked Children’s Day on Wednesday amid growing calls for the release of children held by kidnappers across the country.

Boko Haram insurgents invaded Mussa Primary and Junior Secondary School in Askira-Uba Local Government Area of Borno State on Friday, May 15, 2026, abducting 42 pupils, some of them toddlers.

On the same day, another group of gunmen kidnapped 46 persons – seven teachers and 39 students – from Community High School, Ahoro-Esinle, and Yawota Baptist Nursery and Primary School in Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State.

A two-year-old toddler, Christianah Akanbi, was among those abducted. The attack also led to the killing of a teacher.

The incidents sparked widespread outrage across the country.

While there has been no communication from the perpetrators of the Borno abduction, two online videos surfaced two days after the Oyo incident showing the abducted principal of the high school, Rachael Alamu, and a nursing mother pleading for rescue.

The killing of one of the abducted teachers, Michael Oyedokun, has further heightened tension and anxiety among residents and families of the victims.

Amid growing concerns, President Bola Tinubu, in his Children’s Day message, vowed to continue working until children abducted from their homes, schools and communities are safely returned and those responsible brought to justice.

No sign of progress – Distressed Borno parents

Some parents of the abducted Borno pupils told Daily Trust that government officials and security operatives had continued to offer assurances without any visible progress.

“The worst has already happened, and we don’t have any power except the power of God. He is the only one who can save our little children,” one of the parents, Mohammed Sale, said.

A mother, who identified herself simply as Sarah, broke down in tears while speaking with our correspondent.

She said not only the parents but the entire community remained confused and deeply disturbed by the prolonged silence from the abductors.

“In fact, nobody has contacted us, and since the day our children were taken away, we have had no information about them. I am particularly worried about the toddlers.

“The toddlers are between two and five years old and can barely feed themselves. We do not know their condition or anything about their health status,” she said.

A teacher at the school, who preferred anonymity, said many parents had stopped sending their children to school since the incident occurred.

“The only thing we can do is sympathise with and support the parents during this difficult time. At some point, I stopped going to the school because whenever I saw the empty classrooms, the pain and trauma returned,” she said.

Meanwhile, the Borno State Government has ordered the closure of the school where the 42 pupils were abducted.

The Commissioner for Education, Science, Technology and Innovation, Engr Lawan Abba Wakilbe, said the closure formed part of ongoing efforts to respond to the abduction.

Wakilbe, who led a government delegation to the Mussa community, also directed that, as an emergency measure under the Safe Schools Initiative, affected pupils be relocated to safer learning centres within the local government area.

The delegation met with the Commanding Officer of the 115 Battalion, Askira, Lt. Col. Ishola Olufisola, alongside community leaders and parents of the abducted pupils.

Addressing parents during an interactive session, Wakilbe expressed the government’s sympathy and assured them that efforts were ongoing to rescue the children.

He reaffirmed the administration of Governor Babagana Zulum’s commitment to prioritising the safety and welfare of students across the state.

Speaking on behalf of the parents, Mr Ishaku Jidaye commended the government’s swift response and appealed for urgent action to secure the release of the children.

He said families of the victims had been experiencing severe emotional and psychological trauma since the attack.

The delegation also visited Dille and Lassa communities to assess security conditions and review safety measures in public schools within the affected areas.

During the assessment tour, Wakilbe directed that all Safe Schools Initiative measures be fully implemented in the affected schools pending further government directives.

Governor Zulum’s spokesperson, Dauda Iliya, said the governor had remained in continuous engagement with security chiefs, including military and police authorities, as part of coordinated efforts to rescue the victims and ensure their safe return.

The President of Borno South Youth Alliance, Samaila Ibrahim Kaigama, accused the government of not doing enough to rescue the children.

“Since this incident happened, there has been no tangible response from the state and federal governments.

“Some people are saying we are championing ransom payment to the insurgents. No, but if the military cannot rescue them, why not try another option?” he asked.

He also lamented that over 400 Ngoshe abductees were still in captivity, alleging that the government had done little to secure their release.

Public discussion can jeopardise rescue efforts – Oyo victim’s husband

Professor Wole Alamu, husband of the kidnapped Oyo school principal, Mrs Alamu, appealed for caution in public discussions surrounding the rescue operations, warning that premature disclosure of sensitive information could jeopardise ongoing efforts.

Speaking during a telephone interview with Eagle 102.5 FM, Ilese-Ijebu, Ogun State, he said: “We are going to grant an interview, but not now. Serious work is being done behind the scenes. Anything said now may jeopardise the rescue operations.”

Residents of the affected area, who spoke anonymously, described the incident as horrifying and painful, lamenting that communities had continued to face repeated security threats despite calls for stronger protection.

“This is heartbreaking. We are living in fear because nobody knows what may happen next. We appeal to the government and security agencies not to abandon these victims,” one resident said.

Another resident, who is a member of the vigilante group, said local hunters attempted to pursue the attackers but were forced to retreat because of the superior weapons used by the abductors.

“We were told by security agencies that their weapons are similar to those used by Boko Haram. We also learnt that the schoolchildren were crying and pleading to be rescued,” he said.

The Chairman of Oriire Local Government Area, Alabi Olateju Michael, said security operatives were closing in on the abductors and assured residents that rescue efforts were ongoing.

“It is a shocking incident, but efforts are ongoing with security operatives to secure the release of the abductees.

“They have been on the ground since Friday, and the criminals have been surrounded. We are hopeful the victims will soon regain their freedom,” he said.

He acknowledged that some security personnel sustained casualties during initial confrontations with the armed group.

According to him, the attackers exploited the difficult terrain surrounded by forest reserves and rural settlements.

“You know we live in a farming area surrounded by forest reserves, so different people come in — herders and farmers from different places, particularly non-Yoruba-speaking natives. We cannot be too suspicious, but regardless of that, we never saw it coming,” he said.

Alabi added that the area had previously witnessed isolated security incidents, including attacks on local vigilantes in neighbouring communities.

We’ll not rest until abducted children return safely — Tinubu

President Tinubu has vowed that his administration will continue working until children abducted from their homes, schools and communities are rescued safely and those responsible brought to justice.

In his Children’s Day message personally signed on Wednesday, the president assured grieving families that the government would intensify efforts to secure the release of victims still in captivity.

“To families grieving and despondent, your government will continue to work until children taken from their homes, schools and communities are returned safely, and until those who profit from this cruelty are brought to justice,” he said.

Tinubu disclosed that he had directed security agencies to sustain and intensify coordinated rescue operations for abducted children and other vulnerable citizens across the country.

He said the operations must be intelligence-led, carefully executed and focused on the safe recovery of victims.

The president also ordered the strengthening of school protection measures, especially in high-risk areas, through improved school vulnerability mapping, closer collaboration between state governments and security agencies, rapid response systems and stronger community-based early warning mechanisms.

According to him, the Federal Ministry of Education, in collaboration with state governments, would deepen implementation of the Safe Schools framework to ensure schools in vulnerable areas are better prepared for emergencies.

Tinubu further stated that children rescued from abduction, violence and displacement must receive proper rehabilitation, including medical care, counselling, education and reintegration support.

“Rescue is not the end of the government’s duty,” he said.

The president stressed that protecting children should not be left to the government alone, urging parents, teachers, traditional rulers, religious leaders, youth groups, vigilantes and the media to support efforts aimed at safeguarding schools and communities.

He added that his administration remained committed to building a country where every child could learn safely, access healthcare and pursue their dreams without fear.

Also, Governor Seyi Makinde assured residents of Oyo State that all abducted schoolchildren and teachers would be rescued and reunited with their families.

Makinde gave the assurance on Wednesday while hosting his deputy, Mr Bayo Lawal, and other Muslim appointees ahead of the Eid-el-Kabir celebration.

Addressing the gathering, the governor shifted focus from the festivities to the recent abduction, saying efforts were ongoing to secure the victims’ safe release.

“We are working round the clock to ensure the abducted children are reunited with their families. I pray that God Almighty comforts those in distress at their point of need,” he said.

The governor also urged residents to sustain the spirit of tolerance and peaceful coexistence as political activities gather momentum ahead of future elections.

“We are liberal and tolerant people in Oyo State. It is difficult to use ethnicity or religion to divide us,” he said.

Makinde stressed the need for unity regardless of political outcomes, noting that governments would come and go, but the state and country must remain united.

The Chief of Defence Staff, Gen. Olufemi Oluyede, has ordered the deployment of special forces and aerial surveillance assets to Oyo State following the kidnapping incidents.

He also assured residents that troops would maintain relentless operations until the perpetrators were apprehended and security restored.

Speaking with journalists on Tuesday during a briefing on military activities for May, the Director of Defence Media Operations, Maj. Gen. Michael Onoja, said the Armed Forces of Nigeria acknowledged the security concerns in Oyo State and sympathised with affected families, the government and residents.

“The Defence Headquarters explicitly acknowledges the recent kidnapping incident reported within Oyo State,” he said.

Onoja said the CDS had directed comprehensive security reinforcement in the affected areas through the deployment of advanced aerial surveillance platforms and specialised ground troops working alongside relevant state authorities.

He added that ongoing operations had already yielded useful intelligence and that troops would sustain aggressive operations until those responsible were apprehended.

‘Poor governance fuelling insecurity’

Speaking with Daily Trust, retired Naval Commodore and security expert, Kunle Olawunmi, blamed Nigeria’s worsening insecurity on what he described as “collective incompetence in governance.”

Olawunmi, who is also Head of the Department of International Relations and Diplomacy at Chrisland University, said the country’s security challenges reflected deeper governance failures.

“This country deserves a better government,” he said, alleging that many in authority were more interested in personal gain than governance. The retired officer said many Nigerians had lost confidence in the government’s ability to provide security and welfare, which he described as the primary constitutional responsibilities of any administration.

According to him, rising cases of kidnapping and violent crimes are driven largely by poverty, unemployment and lack of opportunities.

“Many people are living in hardship and resorting to self-help, including kidnapping for ransom,” he said.

Olawunmi argued that deploying more troops and police personnel alone would not solve the country’s security crisis, stressing the need for competent leadership and merit-based appointments within the security architecture.

Speaking on the possibility of rescuing the abducted schoolchildren and teachers in Oyo State, he maintained that such operations were achievable with proper planning and coordination.

“It is doable. They can be rescued if professionals are allowed to handle the operation properly,” he said.

The former military intelligence officer criticised what he described as the politicisation of security appointments, alleging that unqualified individuals were often placed in sensitive positions because of family or political connections.

“You are not putting your best foot forward, and that is why things are difficult,” he said.

Olawunmi, who said he received counter-terrorism training in countries including Israel and the United States, recalled participating in intelligence and extradition operations across South Africa, Angola, Ghana and Liberia.

According to him, Nigeria previously produced highly trained officers based on merit, but standards had declined due to nepotism and poor leadership.

CAN urges urgent action to protect Nigerian children

The Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) has called on the government to take urgent steps to protect Nigerian children from insecurity and other challenges threatening their future.

In a statement marking the 2026 Children’s Day celebration, the association said the occasion came with both gratitude for the lives and potential of children and deep concern over the dangers confronting them across the country.

CAN expressed concern over the recent abduction of pupils and teachers in Oyo State, describing the incident as painful and traumatic for affected families and communities.

“No child should experience fear and violence in a place meant for learning, protection and hope,” the association said.

It also sympathised with teachers caught in such attacks alongside their pupils, noting that teachers serve not only as educators but also as protectors and guardians to children under their care.

CAN said a country where parents fear sending their children to school and teachers are uncertain about their safety cannot claim to be securing its future.

The association further highlighted other challenges facing children, including poverty, hunger, abuse, trafficking, child labour and poor access to quality education and healthcare.

CAN urged governments at all levels and security agencies to treat the protection of schools and children as a national priority, warning that repeated attacks on schools weaken public confidence and threaten national development.

It also called on parents, faith-based organisations, traditional institutions, schools and community leaders to work together to protect children and strengthen moral values in society.

“To every Nigerian child living under difficult conditions or in communities troubled by insecurity, do not lose hope. Your future matters and your dreams deserve protection,” the statement added.

Meanwhile, former Minister of Education, Obiageli Ezekwesili, criticised the political class over what she described as neglect of Nigerian children.

In an open letter to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, state governors and the National Assembly, Ezekwesili condemned the worsening conditions facing millions of children, including insecurity, illiteracy, poverty and lack of healthcare.

She said it was hypocritical for leaders to celebrate Children’s Day while many children remained victims of kidnappings, school closures and severe hardship across the country.

“Do not dare stand in front of cameras, surrounded by carefully arranged children in matching uniforms, to perform a tenderness you have never extended to the millions of Nigerian children you have abandoned, betrayed, and condemned to lives of suffering.

“You are wishing ‘Happy Children’s Day’ to at least 1,799 students seized in a dozen of the largest abductions since Chibok, and to the 670 children affected by at least 10 school kidnappings in less than two years – a litany of horror compiled not by your security agencies, but by international human rights organisations doing the work your government refuses to do.

“You are wishing ‘Happy Children’s Day’ to around 19 million Nigerian children – 27 per cent- who do not attend school due to the threat of kidnappings, poverty and cultural factors, one of the highest numbers in the world,” she wrote on X. (Daily Trust)

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