Residents of Borno State have voiced strong concerns over what they describe as the Federal Government’s inadequate response to the recent abduction of schoolchildren in the state.
The incident, which involved the kidnapping of dozens of primary and junior secondary school pupils in Mussa community, Askira Uba Local Government Area, has sparked outrage among community leaders and civil society groups.
They argue that the response from authorities has been significantly weaker compared to a similar abduction case in Oyo State.
Chairman of Civil Society Organisations in Borno, Abubakar Suleiman, criticised the disparity, noting that while a high-level federal delegation swiftly visited Oyo State following its incident, no such intervention has been seen in Borno despite multiple abductions.
He highlighted previous cases, including the mass kidnapping of over 400 persons in Ngoshe and another incident involving students in Askira Uba, stressing that these events have not received the same urgency or attention.
A political analyst, Abubakar Kareto, also condemned the attacks, describing them as a grim reminder of the vulnerability of rural schools.
He warned that unequal responses to security crises could deepen public distrust and create a perception of selective concern by the government.
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Kareto called on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and security agencies to deploy equal military and intelligence resources to secure the release of all abducted victims, regardless of location.
Meanwhile, the Association for Childhood Education Practitioners (ACEP) Nigeria has strongly condemned the abduction, describing it as disturbing and unacceptable.
In a statement, the association emphasized that no child should be exposed to violence or fear while pursuing education.
ACEP urged security agencies to intensify rescue operations and called for immediate, coordinated efforts to ensure the safe return of the children.
The group also stressed the need to protect schools as safe spaces for learning, warning of the long-term emotional and psychological impact such incidents have on children and communities.
The association joined other stakeholders in demanding the unconditional release of all abducted pupils and reaffirmed its commitment to safeguarding the rights, dignity, and future of Nigerian children.
The growing insecurity in parts of the country continues to raise concerns about the safety of educational institutions, with calls mounting for decisive and consistent government action.
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