Bring Our 78 Children Home, Borno Margi Community Tells Tinubu, Zulum

ABUJA – The Margi community in Borno State has called on President Bola Tinubu and Governor Babagana Zulum to urgently step up efforts to rescue 78 schoolchildren and a teacher held captive after separate abductions in Askira/Uba Local Government Area.

The community lamented that the prolonged captivity of the victims had left their families traumatised and uncertain about their loved ones’ fate. It demanded intensified rescue operations and consistent communication from the authorities regarding the whereabouts of the abductees.

The community’s Secretary, Malla Gadzama, made the appeal while addressing journalists in Abuja on Thursday.

He explained that 43 pupils were kidnapped in Mussa on May 15, 2026, while another 35 students and a teacher were abducted from a secondary school in Lassa on June 26, during preparations for national examinations.

“Our message is simple and clear: our children must not be forgotten,” Gadzama declared.

He urged President Tinubu to ensure that security agencies receive the necessary resources and intelligence support to secure the victims’ release, stressing the need for proper coordination among the relevant agencies.

“Mr President, these children are Nigerians. Their lives matter,” he said.

Turning to Governor Zulum, Gadzama appealed to the Borno State governor to treat the rescue of the abducted pupils and their teacher as an urgent priority.

He also called for a reliable system of communication to keep affected families informed about developments, while ensuring that sensitive security operations were not compromised.

“Development must also be measured by the safety of our children and the well-being of their families. Infrastructure cannot compensate for the continuing anguish of parents whose children remain in captivity,” he stated.

The community also urged Senator Ali Ndume and other political representatives from Askira/Uba to sustain pressure on the government and relevant security authorities to ensure the safe return of the victims.

Beyond the immediate rescue operation, it called for improved security arrangements around vulnerable schools, alongside medical, psychological and educational assistance for the children and their teacher after their release.

Gadzama invoked Section 14(2)(b) of the 1999 Constitution, which provides that the security and welfare of the people shall be the primary purpose of government, arguing that rescuing the abductees was a constitutional obligation rather than a special favour.

“We are not asking for favour from government. We are just asking the government to fulfil its primary responsibility to the people,” he said.

He appealed to the President, the Borno State governor and security agencies not to relent until every abducted pupil and the teacher had been brought home safely.

“Bring Mussa schoolchildren, Lassa schoolchildren and their teachers safely home. That is our demand,” Gadzama added.