Thirteen days after the abduction of schoolchildren and teachers in Borno and Oyo states, the victims remain in captivity, with no contact from the abductors, heightening fears over their safety.
Parents of the victims, residents of the affected communities and activists have continued to express concern over the whereabouts of the abductees as Nigeria marked Children’s Day on Wednesday amid growing calls for the release of children held by kidnappers across the country.
Boko Haram insurgents invaded Mussa Primary and Junior Secondary School in Askira-Uba Local Government Area of Borno State on Friday, May 15, 2026, abducting 42 pupils, some of them toddlers.
On the same day, another group of gunmen kidnapped 46 persons – seven teachers and 39 students – from Community High School, Ahoro-Esinle, and Yawota Baptist Nursery and Primary School in Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State.
A two-year-old toddler, Christianah Akanbi, was among those abducted. The attack also led to the killing of a teacher.
The incidents sparked widespread outrage across the country.
While there has been no communication from the perpetrators of the Borno abduction, two online videos surfaced two days after the Oyo incident showing the abducted principal of the high school, Rachael Alamu, and a nursing mother pleading for rescue.
The killing of one of the abducted teachers, Michael Oyedokun, has further heightened tension and anxiety among residents and families of the victims.
Amid growing concerns, President Bola Tinubu, in his Children’s Day message, vowed to continue working until children abducted from their homes, schools and communities are safely returned and those responsible brought to justice.
No sign of progress – Distressed Borno parents
Some parents of the abducted Borno pupils told Daily Trust that government officials and security operatives had continued to offer assurances without any visible progress.
“The worst has already happened, and we don’t have any power except the power of God. He is the only one who can save our little children,” one of the parents, Mohammed Sale, said.
A mother, who identified herself simply as Sarah, broke down in tears while speaking with our correspondent.
She said not only the parents but the entire community remained confused and deeply disturbed by the prolonged silence from the abductors.
“In fact, nobody has contacted us, and since the day our children were taken away, we have had no information about them. I am particularly worried about the toddlers.
“The toddlers are between two and five years old and can barely feed themselves. We do not know their condition or anything about their health status,” she said.
A teacher at the school, who preferred anonymity, said many parents had stopped sending their children to school since the incident occurred.
“The only thing we can do is sympathise with and support the parents during this difficult time. At some point, I stopped going to the school because whenever I saw the empty classrooms, the pain and trauma returned,” she said.
Meanwhile, the Borno State Government has ordered the closure of the school where the 42 pupils were abducted.
