The Middle Belt Forum (MBF) has challenged the President Bola Ahmed Tinubu-led Federal Government to intensify efforts and operations to free abducted children and other victims still being held by terrorists in Southern Borno and Southern Kaduna.
This was as the MBF criticised what it described as the Government’s continued investment in the rehabilitation programmes for repentant Boko Haram members and bandits while innocent citizens and victims remained in terrorist captivity.
The Forum particularly expressed concerns over what it described as “continued silence” of the Federal Government and the governments of Borno and Kaduna states, stressing that the development risks creating the impression that some Nigerian lives are more valued than others.
It particularly urged the federal government to replicate the efforts used to secure the rescue of abducted school pupils and teachers in Oyo State.
A statement by Luka Binniyat, spokesperson of the MBF, however, commended the federal Government, security agencies, and all those involved in the successful rescue of the Oyo school pupils and teachers abducted on May 15, 2026.
The MBF, which is an umbrella organisation for all Northern minorities, while noting that the safe return of the victims had brought relief to their families and Nigerians, stressed that safeguarding the lives and property of citizens remains the primary constitutional responsibility of government.
The Forum stated; “The security and welfare of the people are the primary purpose of Government. Every Nigerian, irrespective of ethnicity, religion or place of residence, deserves equal protection.
It lamented that while the Oyo abduction attracted widespread national attention, children abducted the same day from Government Day Secondary School, Mussa, in Askira/Uba Local Government Area of Borno State had remained largely forgotten.
According to the MBF; “42 children, including toddlers, were abducted when Boko Haram insurgents attacked the school complex, which houses nursery, primary and secondary schools”.
The statement expressed concern over what it described as the lack of visible response from the federal Government, the Borno State Government, the Nigerian Union of Teachers (NUT), civil society organisations and many human rights groups over the continued captivity of the victims.
It further said; “On 29 June 2026, terrorists again attacked Government Day Secondary School, Lassa, in Askira/Uba Local Government Area, abducting 36 students, 25 girls and 11 boys, and a staff member while candidates were writing their secondary school examinations. At least one teacher was killed in the attack.
“The August 2025 abduction of seven children from Shikarkir in Chibok Local Government Area also remains unresolved, with the children still in captivity and without sustained national advocacy for their rescue.
“A similar situation exists in Southern Kaduna. During the Easter Sunday attack on the Ariko community in Kachia Local Government Area on April 6, 2026, seven worshippers were killed while 37 others, mostly women and children, were abducted from three churches.
“On 20 April 2026, terrorists attacked Awon community in the same local government area, killing two persons and abducting 11 others. Many of those abducted remain in captivity, leaving their families in prolonged anguish,” it stated.
The MBF therefore tasked the federal, Borno and Kaduna state governments to demonstrate the same commitment shown in securing the safe release of the Oyo schoolchildren by providing regular updates to affected families on efforts being made to rescue their loved ones.
The Forum also appealed to civil society organisations, human rights groups, religious leaders, the media, development partners and the international community to sustain attention on the plight of abducted victims and support efforts aimed at securing their freedom.
It specifically challenged the Nigerian Union of Teachers (NUT) to extend the same level of advocacy to teachers and schoolchildren affected by attacks in Southern Borno, stressing that every Nigerian child and teacher deserves equal protection.
