The Federal Government and the Borno State Government have intensified efforts to secure the safe release of 44 primary school pupils abducted from Mussa community in Askira/Uba Local Government Area of the state.
Governor Babagana Zulum disclosed this on Friday when he met with the parents of the abducted children at the Government House in Maiduguri, assuring them that security agencies were working to bring the pupils home safely.
The children were abducted from Mussa Central Primary School on May 15, 2026, prompting growing concern among their families and renewed calls for urgent government action.
The meeting was held at the request of the parents, who urged the authorities to intensify efforts to locate and rescue their children.
Zulum said President Bola Ahmed Tinubu had personally directed security agencies to ensure the safe recovery of the pupils, adding that the Federal Government, Nigerian Armed Forces and Borno State Government were coordinating efforts towards their release.
“On behalf of the government and people of Borno State, I once again extend my sympathies over what happened at Mussa Central Primary School on the 15th of May 2026 that led to the abduction of about 44 primary school pupils,” the governor said.
He also conveyed President Tinubu’s sympathy to the affected families.
“On behalf of the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Bola Ahmed Tinubu, I want to sympathise with you. I want to assure you that Mr President has since directed security agencies to ensure the rescue of our children, and I believe they are working to ensure their rescue,” Zulum said.
The governor assured the parents that the authorities would deploy all necessary resources and efforts to secure the children’s safe return.
The abduction has renewed concerns over the security of schools and communities in Borno, where insurgency and other security threats continue to pose serious challenges to residents.
Zulum’s engagement with the affected families is expected to strengthen communication and coordination between the government and the parents as security agencies intensify efforts to locate the abducted pupils and secure their release.
The meeting was attended by Senator representing Southern Borno, Mohammed Ali Ndume; Acting Chief of Staff to the Governor, Dr Babagana Mustapha Mallumbe; Commissioner for Education, Engr Lawan Abba Wakilbe; Commissioner for Inter-Governmental Affairs and Special Duties, Dr Samaila Abdulaziz Satumari; and Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Environment, Dr Juliana Bitrus.
