Parents of schoolchildren abducted from Mussa community in Borno State have staged a protest in Uba town, demanding the immediate rescue of their children who have remained in captivity for nearly 100 days.
The protest took place on Thursday as distraught families called on the Federal Government and security agencies to intensify efforts to secure the release of the children abducted from their school on May 15.
The victims were reportedly taken from their classrooms during an attack on Mussa, a community located near the Sambisa Forest. Families say they have received little or no information about the whereabouts or condition of the children since the incident.
According to Reports obtained by The News Chronicle, about 45 children were still unaccounted for as of Thursday. The figure was attributed to Orbet Lawan Yakubu, who represented the traditional ruler of Mussa.
One of the parents, Chinda Buba, expressed frustration over the prolonged captivity, saying families had yet to see their children or receive reliable information about their condition.
“We still have not seen them,” Buba said, adding that the families remained uncertain about whether the children were safe or enduring difficult conditions.
A police spokesperson said the military was “on top of the situation” but declined to provide further details, directing inquiries about the rescue operation to the military authorities.
The Mussa abduction was followed by another attack in nearby Lassa on June 29, during which 36 students and a teacher were reportedly abducted.
Senator Mohammed Ali Ndume, representing Borno South, said on Wednesday that some of the victims abducted from Mussa and Lassa had spent more than 100 days in captivity. He urged the military to intensify efforts to secure their freedom.
The incidents have further heightened security concerns in Borno State, where Boko Haram and its splinter group, the Islamic State West Africa Province, have continued to carry out attacks on communities, schools and security forces despite years of military operations in the North-East.
The parents’ protest comes weeks after security agencies rescued schoolchildren abducted from schools in Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State after nearly two months in captivity. The Oriire and Mussa school abductions occurred on the same day.
With the Mussa children still missing, their families are demanding urgent action from the government and security agencies, hoping for a similar rescue operation.
The whereabouts and condition of the remaining abducted children remain unclear as their families continue to await concrete information and their safe return.
