By Abdullahi Alhassan
The Federal Government and the Borno State Government have intensified efforts to secure the safe release of the 44 schoolchildren abducted from Mussa community in Askira/Uba Local Government Area of the state.
Borno State Governor, Prof. Babagana Umara Zulum, disclosed this on Friday when he met with parents of the abducted pupils at the Government House, Maiduguri.
The meeting followed an appeal by the parents for urgent intervention by the authorities to secure the safe return of their children.
Zulum expressed sympathy with the affected families, assuring them that the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu remained committed to ensuring that the children were rescued and reunited with their parents.
He said the Federal Government, security agencies and the Borno State Government were working together towards achieving the objective.
«“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.»
Zulum also conveyed President Tinubu’s sympathy to the parents, noting that the President had directed the relevant security agencies to take necessary steps towards rescuing the children.
«“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,” he stated.»
The governor assured the parents that both the Federal and state governments, alongside the Nigerian Armed Forces, would continue to explore every available avenue to secure the children’s safe return.
He urged the affected families to remain hopeful, stressing that the authorities were committed to resolving the situation.
The meeting was attended by the 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.
