Reps demand rescue of 42 abducted Borno schoolchildren

The House of Representatives on Tuesday called on the Federal Government and security agencies to immediately secure the release of 42 schoolchildren abducted from Mussa Ward in Askira-Uba Local Government Area of Borno State, while urging the implementation of a comprehensive national framework to protect schools across the country.

The call followed the consideration of a motion of urgent public importance sponsored by the member representing Askira-Uba/Hawul Federal Constituency, Mr Midala Balami.

Presenting the motion, Balami expressed concern over the abduction of the pupils and the growing pattern of attacks on schools and communities, warning that the trend poses a serious threat to education and national security.

He noted that the protection of pupils, students, educational personnel and school communities remains “a fundamental responsibility of government at all levels.”

The lawmaker recalled previous mass abductions in Borno State, including the kidnapping of the Chibok schoolgirls in 2014, many of whom are still unaccounted for, as well as the abduction of hundreds of residents from Ngoshe and attacks along the Biu-Buratai Road and other communities.

“The House is concerned that the recurring attacks on schools and communities continue to threaten access to education, endanger lives, traumatise families, disrupt livelihoods, and undermine public confidence in the capacity of government to guarantee security,” he said.

Balami further warned that persistent insecurity has deepened fears among residents and contributed to declining school enrolment and attendance in vulnerable communities.

He said the situation underscores “the urgent need for decisive and coordinated action to safeguard schools, restore public confidence, and secure the release of all abducted persons.”

He drew attention to growing public frustration over the handling of insecurity, observing that many communities were demanding concrete results rather than official assurances.

“Communities are increasingly losing confidence in government responses to insecurity and economic hardship, and are demanding visible and concrete actions rather than repeated assurances,” he stated.

The motion comes against the backdrop of recurring attacks on educational institutions in Nigeria’s North-East and North-West regions, where armed groups have repeatedly targeted schools, students and teachers. The abduction of 276 schoolgirls from Government Girls Secondary School, Chibok, in April 2014 remains one of the most notorious incidents and sparked global outrage. Since then, several mass kidnappings have occurred in different parts of the country despite government efforts to strengthen school security.

Adopting the motion, the House urged the Federal Government and relevant security agencies to “take immediate and decisive action” to rescue the 42 abducted schoolchildren from Mussa Ward and all other persons currently being held in captivity.

Lawmakers also called for “stronger security around schools in Borno State and other high-risk areas through enhanced deployment of security personnel, improved intelligence gathering and effective rapid-response mechanisms.”

The House further advocated the expansion of school protection initiatives, including early warning systems, community-based security arrangements, security awareness programmes and improved surveillance infrastructure around schools.

As part of its resolutions, the House mandated its Committees on National Security, Defence, Basic Education and Legislative Compliance to engage relevant security agencies and report back on measures taken to secure the release of abductees and improve security around schools nationwide.

The lawmakers also called on the Federal Government to develop and implement a comprehensive Safe Schools Security Framework aimed at protecting students, teachers and educational institutions from future attacks.

“The safety of our children and the protection of education must remain a national priority. Our children deserve to learn in an environment free from fear, and our citizens deserve the assurance that government will act decisively to protect lives and property. The time for action is now,” Balami said.