Parents of 46 schoolchildren abducted by Boko Haram and Islamic State West Africa Province terrorists have taken to the streets in Borno State, demanding urgent action from the Federal and state governments to secure their children’s release.
The children, who are from Mussa community in Askira-Uba Local Government Area, were abducted on May 15, 2026, during school activities and have now spent 98 days in captivity.
The distressed parents staged a peaceful protest in Uba town, calling on the authorities to intensify efforts to locate and rescue the children.
The protesters marched from the Borno Motor Park to the Empire Palace and the residence of the Chairman of Askira-Uba Local Government Area.
They carried placards bearing messages, including “Bring Back Our Children,” as they appealed to the authorities to take decisive action to end the prolonged captivity of their children.
The parents expressed concern over the continued silence surrounding the fate of the abducted schoolchildren, saying their prolonged stay in terrorist captivity had caused severe emotional distress among families in the community.
They demanded answers from the Federal and Borno State governments over the measures being taken to secure the children’s release.
The protesters also called for intensified military and intelligence operations to locate the abducted children and safely return them to their families.
The abduction has renewed concerns over the security of schools and communities in parts of Borno, where Boko Haram and ISWAP have continued to pose threats despite sustained counter-insurgency operations by Nigerian security forces.
For the affected families, the passage of nearly 100 days has deepened fears about the safety and wellbeing of the children.
The parents urged the authorities not to abandon efforts to secure their release, stressing that every available resource should be deployed to bring the children home safely.
The protest also highlighted the continuing humanitarian consequences of the insurgency in communities that have experienced repeated attacks, displacement and disruption of education.
The abduction of schoolchildren remains particularly sensitive in Borno, where the Boko Haram insurgency has previously targeted educational institutions and abducted students.
The latest protest reflects growing pressure on authorities to strengthen security around schools and communities while prioritising the safe recovery of people held by terrorist groups.
West Trybe reports that the 98-day captivity of the 46 children has placed renewed attention on the security challenges confronting communities in southern Borno and the need for sustained efforts to protect children, secure educational activities and prevent further abductions.
