- He urged those responsible for the abduction to show compassion and release the children
- According to Askira, the prolonged ordeal has heightened fear and uncertainty among residents
- He particularly acknowledged Governor Zulum’s visit to the community following the incident
Community leaders and stakeholders from Askira/Uba Local Government Area of Borno State have appealed to the abductors of 42 schoolchildren to free them without conditions, stressing that the victims are innocent children whose continued captivity has caused immense suffering for their families.
Eko Hot Blog gathered that the appeal was made on Monday in Maiduguri by a delegation led by the Deputy Speaker of the Borno State House of Assembly, Abdullahi Askira.
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The stakeholders expressed concern that the pupils and students have remained in captivity for three weeks since their abduction, describing the situation as deeply distressing for parents, relatives and members of the affected communities.
According to Askira, the prolonged ordeal has heightened fear and uncertainty among residents, particularly because the victims are children whose education and well-being have been severely disrupted.
He urged those responsible for the abduction to show compassion and release the children, emphasizing that they should not be made to suffer for circumstances beyond their control.
The lawmaker said community leaders had initially remained hopeful that ongoing efforts by security agencies and government authorities would secure the children’s safe return, but admitted that anxiety was growing as the days passed without their release.
Despite the concern, Askira commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Governor Babagana Umara Zulum for their commitment to addressing security challenges and supporting affected families.
He particularly acknowledged Governor Zulum’s visit to the community following the incident, describing it as a reassuring gesture that demonstrated the government’s concern for the victims and their families.
The stakeholders also called for stronger security measures in Askira/Uba, citing its proximity to the notorious Sambisa Forest, which has long been associated with insurgent activities.
They urged authorities to establish a more robust security framework in the area, including reinforced protection for schools, rapid-response units, forward operating bases and increased patrols to prevent future attacks.
The appeal comes amid renewed concerns over school security in the North-East following the abduction of the 42 pupils and students from Mussa Primary and Junior Secondary School on May 16 during an attack allegedly carried out by suspected Boko Haram insurgents.
Although security agencies have intensified efforts to rescue the victims, the children remained in captivity as of Monday, prompting fresh calls from community leaders for their immediate and unconditional release.
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