Borno Governor Says Federal, State Governments Collaborating to Rescue Abducted Schoolchildren

Borno State Governor Babagana Umara Zulum announced on Friday that the federal and state governments are collaborating to secure the release of schoolchildren abducted from Mussa community in Askira-Uba Local Government Area. The governor met with parents of the abducted children, who have been demanding urgent government action for nearly 100 days since the attack.

The abduction occurred on May 15, 2026, when gunmen seized pupils from Mussa Central Primary School and students from Mussa Junior Day Secondary School while classes were in session. The community is located near the Sambisa Forest, an area long used by insurgent groups. Senator Ali Ndume, representing Southern Borno, previously stated that 32 pupils were taken from the school and another ten from nearby homes. The exact number of abducted children remains a point of variation among reports, with figures ranging from 42 to 46.

During the meeting with families, Governor Zulum conveyed sympathy from President Bola Ahmed Tinubu. Zulum assured the parents that the president had directed security agencies to work toward rescuing the children. He stated that the Federal Government, the Nigerian Armed Forces, and the Borno...