Parents and community members of Mussa and Lassa in Askira/Uba Local Government Area of Borno State have threatened to march on the Presidential Villa in Abuja within six days if the government fails to secure the release of their children from Boko Haram captivity.
The families, whose children have been held for more than 130 days, aired their grievances during a protest in Askira/Uba on Monday, accusing the government of inaction. The abductions occurred on May 15, 2026, and involve 44 children from Mussa Ward and 36 from Lassa schools.The same day, more than 40 students and teachers were abducted in Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State; those victims were freed after 56 days.
Leading the protest, parents’ chairman Ishaku Suya appealed directly to President Bola Tinubu to order security agencies to rescue the children, drawing a comparison with the Oyo State operation.
Josphin Yohanna, a mother of one of the abducted children, questioned why the government’s swift response in Oyo State had not been matched in the northeast.
Lassa’s acting district head, Wadzani Hammatu, said most of the missing children are toddlers aged between one and three. The Emir of Uba, Ali Samaila Mamza, called on all tiers of government to intensify efforts.
Dr Midala Usman Balami, who represents Askira/Uba and Hawul in the House of Representatives, said he had raised the issue at a press conference and moved a motion in the National Assembly, pledging to keep pushing for action.
