Families of 116 people abducted from different locations in Borno State have appealed to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Governor Babagana Umara Zulum to intensify efforts to secure the immediate and safe release of their relatives.
The families made the appeal on Friday during a press conference in Abuja, expressing deep concern over the prolonged captivity of schoolchildren, parents and other residents.
A major focus of their demand is the rescue of **42 pupils and students of Mussa Primary and Junior Day Secondary School in Askira-Uba Local Government Area**, who were abducted on May 15, 2026.
They also called for the release of **36 students of Government Day Secondary School, Lassa**, who were abducted on June 29 while taking their National Examinations Council (NECO) examinations.
Another 38 people reportedly abducted along the **Buratai Road to Maiduguri**, as well as victims taken along the Chibok route and other vulnerable communities and roads across Borno, were also listed among those requiring urgent rescue.
Speaking on behalf of the families, Secretary of the Hawul/Askira-Uba Elders Forum, Malla Gadzama, said the prolonged captivity had subjected affected families to sleepless nights, fear and emotional anguish.
“Too much time has passed without our children. We have endured sleepless nights, fear and uncertainty, and we are still asking one question: where are our loved ones, and when are they coming home?”
Gadzama appealed to Tinubu, as Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, to deploy all available security and intelligence resources towards securing the victims’ release.
He similarly urged Governor Zulum to use the full weight of his office and strengthen cooperation with the Federal Government, security agencies and intelligence services to explore every possible avenue for the victims’ safe return.
The families pointed to the recent rescue of abducted schoolchildren and teachers in Oyo State as evidence that coordinated and intelligence-driven operations can produce results.
While commending the Federal Government and security agencies for the Oyo operation, they questioned why victims abducted in Borno had remained in captivity for so long.
They stressed that they were not seeking preferential treatment, but equal protection, urgency and a firm commitment to saving human lives.
The families further demanded regular and credible updates from government and security authorities regarding efforts being made to secure the victims’ release.
They warned that prolonged captivity must not become normalised or allow the victims to disappear from public attention.
“100 days is too long. 100 days without our children. 100 days of sleepless nights. 100 days of tears and fear. 100 days of uncertainty,” the families said.
Also speaking, the lawmaker representing Hawul/Askira-Uba Federal Constituency, Midala Balami, sympathised with the affected families and urged security agencies to intensify operations until all victims were safely reunited with their loved ones.
Balami said the abductions had inflicted severe emotional and psychological distress on families across the constituency.
He cited the case of a father whose wife and five-month-old daughter were among those abducted, describing the situation as devastating.
The lawmaker called on the government and security agencies to sustain their efforts and ensure that the victims are brought home safely.
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