Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde has called on the Federal Government to intensify efforts to secure the release of schoolchildren abducted in Borno State on the same day terrorists kidnapped pupils and teachers in Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State.
Makinde made the appeal against the backdrop of the prolonged captivity of the Borno children, whose abduction has continued to raise concerns among their families, community leaders and Nigerians.
> “I'm calling on the FG to intensify efforts to rescue the 40 schoolchildren abducted in Borno State same day as Oriire abduction, who have remained in captivity for over 110 days,” Makinde said.
The Borno abduction occurred on May 15, 2026, when armed attackers stormed schools in Mussa community, Askira-Uba Local Government Area, near the fringes of the Sambisa Forest. Initial reports gave varying figures, with local officials putting the number of abducted children at about 42, while subsequent community verification identified 40 missing children by name. The Federal Government has also put the number at 44.
The incident happened on the same day that armed men attacked three schools in Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State, abducting pupils and teachers. The Oyo victims were eventually rescued on July 10 after spending 56 days in captivity.
The successful rescue of the Oyo victims has consequently heightened calls for similar action in Borno, where families of the abducted children have continued to live with uncertainty over their whereabouts and safety.
The Mussa community is located close to the Sambisa Forest, a region that has historically been associated with Boko Haram and other armed insurgent groups. Reports indicate that the attackers arrived on motorcycles and took the children away from their schools. Some of the victims were reportedly very young, including toddlers.
The prolonged captivity has generated increasing pressure on both the Borno State and Federal Governments. Parents have repeatedly appealed for information and stronger rescue efforts, with some saying they have received little or no concrete information about the whereabouts of their children.
In August, Borno State Governor Babagana Zulum met with parents of the abducted children and reiterated that President Bola Tinubu had directed security agencies to work towards securing their release. At that time, the children had already spent more than 100 days in captivity.
The situation has also attracted international concern. The United Nations has called for the immediate and unconditional release of pupils and teachers abducted in both Borno and Oyo states, while stressing the need for schools to remain safe environments for children.
The continuing captivity of the Borno children comes amid renewed concerns about attacks on educational institutions in Nigeria. In June, another school abduction occurred in Lassa, also in Askira-Uba, where 36 students and a teacher were reported to have remained in captivity following an attack on a secondary school.
For the families of the Mussa children, however, the issue remains immediate and deeply personal: bringing their children home safely.
Makinde's appeal therefore places renewed attention on the Borno victims and reinforces calls for sustained intelligence-led security operations, stronger protection around vulnerable schools and regular communication with affected families.
As the children remain missing months after their abduction, the demand from their families remains unchanged — **safe rescue and reunion with their loved ones.**
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