Growing anxiety and anguish have continued to grip emotions, running high; families and relatives of abducted travellers, pupils and students said the community’s patience was rapidly giving way to fear and uncertainty and wondered how terrorists abducted their loved ones, and yet held them captive for months.
As families continue to wait for news of their children 100 days after, families of 16 travellers abducted along the Biu- Buratai road 16th April, 2026; the Boko Haram invaded Mussa Primary and Junior Secondary Schools in Askira-Uba Local Government on 15th May and abducted 42 school children, some of them as young as seven years and recently terrorists later attacked Government Secondary School Lassa, the same LGA, at least 36 students who were writing National Examinations Council and a teacher were kidnapped comprise 25 girls and 11 boys.
The recent sad development has changed the narrative in the war against terrorism and banditry in Nigeria. A surge of violence and abduction of innocent civilians, including pupils, students, travellers, farmers, security personnel, and ex-generals, alas, has further raised genuine questions about whether the country is making headway against the outlaw groups because, as it is, no person seems safe in the country.
Silence from govts breaks our hearts-families
Speaking on behalf of the families of the victims, Hassan Yati said that the families have been traumatised by the prolonged captivity of their loved ones and feel helpless because both the federal and state governments have not reached out to them since the abduction.
“Our appeal is simple. These are not just names on a missing persons list. They are fathers, mothers, daughters, sons, brothers, sisters and children. They are people whose families continue to wait every single day with hope that one phone call, one rescue operation or one piece of good news will finally bring this painful chapter to an end,” he said.
According to him, they would have felt better off if the government or any other authority had contacted them since the abduction of the 16 relatives on April 15.
He stated that even if it were to reassure them that the government and security agencies are taking action, the complete silence from these authorities is what is breaking their hearts.
Yati further added that they are troubled because their pain has not ended, emphasising that they are pleading, not because they enjoy asking, but because they have no other voice except through the media.
“The conscience of our nation, not to allow this story to fade away. As long as our loved ones remain in captivity, our cry for justice and compassion must continue to be heard.
“Sadly, even after the abduction of our relatives, more innocent travellers have reportedly fallen victim to attacks along the same Biu–Buratai road. This is heartbreaking and serves as a painful reminder that the danger persists and that countless families continue to travel in fear.
“One hundred days may simply be a number on a calendar, but for us, it represents one hundred days of sleepless nights, broken hearts, unanswered prayers and endless anxiety.”
“That alone keeps hope alive in our hearts. The recent rescue of the abducted school teachers and pupils in Oyo State, as well as ongoing efforts to secure the release of the abducted students from Lassa in Askira/Uba Local Government Area, have strengthened our faith that rescue is possible.
“Their stories remind us that hope still exists, and we pray that our own loved ones will soon experience the same miracle. It is for this reason that we humbly appeal to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Governor of Borno State, Babagana Zulum; and others, not to allow the plight of the Biu–Buratai travellers to be forgotten. We respectfully plead that every possible effort be made to secure their safe and unconditional release,” he appealed.
My siblings yet believe my parents abducted by terrorists- daughter cries out
Our Correspondent reports that the troubled family members noted that it has been days; their homes have been filled with silence instead of laughter, uncertainty instead of peace, and tears instead of joy.
One of the victims whose both parents were among the abductees, Lucy Michael, said they are expecting the return of their parents and yet they have not returned.
She said the abduction is something she doesn’t know how to explain to her siblings, who kept asking her about the whereabouts of their father and mother that were abducted.
” Until now, my siblings cannot believe that our daddy and mummy were abducted. And every day, they keep asking, “Where is daddy?” Where is mummy? I don’t know what to start telling them. What I keep telling them is that daddy and mummy will return. I believe one day they will return,” she said.
She added that every sunrise reminds them that fathers, mothers, children and loved ones are still missing, while every sunset ends with the same unanswered question: When will they come home?
We demand immediate rescue of pupils, students- Askira begs
Also, Residents of Askira/Uba Local Government Area of Borno State, as community leaders, political stakeholders, and concerned citizens, intensify calls for the immediate rescue of schoolchildren abducted by suspected Boko Haram/ ISWAP insurgents nearly three weeks ago.
Leading the appeal, the Deputy Speaker of the Borno State House of Assembly, Abdullahi Musa Askira, described the abduction as a “heartbreaking assault on humanity” and demanded urgent action to secure the children’s safe return.
The lawmaker expressed deep concern over the fate of the pupils of Mussa Primary and Junior Secondary School whom insurgents reportedly seized on May 15, 2026.
“We come before you with profound sadness and heavy hearts,” he declared. “These innocent children, whose only offence was seeking knowledge, have been cruelly taken away from their families. This is not only an attack on education but an assault on our shared humanity and the future of our society.”
The Deputy Speaker noted that stakeholders had deliberately refrained from public statements in the immediate aftermath of the incident, trusting that security agencies were working tirelessly to secure the children’s release. However, he said the prolonged captivity of the pupils had heightened fears among parents and residents.
Psychological trauma of abducted school children in captivity
When children are abducted, the immediate concern is often their physical safety. Families, communities, and governments mobilise resources to secure their release and reunite them with their loved ones. Yet beyond the rescue efforts lies another crisis that is often less visible but equally devastating: the psychological trauma endured by children during captivity and long after they regain their freedom.
Across Nigeria, school abductions have emerged as one of the most disturbing consequences of insecurity. Hundreds of children have been seized from classrooms, dormitories, and communities by armed groups, exposing them to fear, uncertainty, and emotional distress at a stage of life when they should be learning and developing in safe environments.
The invisible wounds of captivity
Beyond the security implications, experts warn that the psychological consequences of abduction can persist long after victims regain their freedom.
Children exposed to prolonged fear, uncertainty, violence, and harsh living conditions during captivity may experience severe emotional distress and trauma. Many survivors struggle with anxiety, nightmares, social withdrawal, poor concentration, depression, and difficulties rebuilding trust in others.
For some, returning to school becomes a daunting challenge. Classrooms that once represented learning, friendship, and opportunity may become painful reminders of traumatic experiences. Others develop an overwhelming fear of separation from family members or travelling to unfamiliar places.
Mental health professionals stress that successful rescue operations should mark the beginning, not the end, of recovery. They advocate comprehensive rehabilitation programmes that include trauma counselling, family support, educational reintegration, and long-term psychosocial care.
Schools should be safe spaces for children
The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) has repeatedly warned that attacks on schools have far-reaching consequences for children’s mental health and education.
Gilles Fagninou, UNICEF Regional Director for West and Central Africa, described the abduction of students and teachers as a grave violation of children’s rights and an assault on their safety and education.
According to him, schools should remain safe spaces where children can learn without fear of violence or intimidation.
Beyond the victims themselves, the psychological impact extends to families and communities. Parents of abducted children often endure weeks or months of anxiety, uncertainty, sleep deprivation, and emotional distress while awaiting news of their children.
Govt must strengthen proactive school security measures- CATAI
At the Borno State Education Summit 2026, Sadiq Abubakar Mu’azu, the Executive Director of the Centre for Advocacy, Transparency and Accountability Initiative (CATAI), said stakeholders should explore ways to strengthen safe, inclusive, and gender-responsive education as part of efforts to rebuild Borno State’s education sector.
He noted that the summit underscores a platform for dialogue; it strengthened partnerships, elevated local priorities, and reinforced the collective responsibility to ensure that every child, especially those affected by conflict and other humanitarian challenges, has access to safe and quality learning opportunities.
He called on the Federal Government and the National Council on Education to strengthen proactive school security measures.
“Every child deserves to learn in a safe environment. We call on the Federal Government and the National Council on Education to strengthen proactive school security measures, including community-based security initiatives, to safeguard our children and ensure that schools remain safe spaces for learning.”He emphasised.
The Borno State government has expressed deep concern over the prolonged captivity of the children abducted since May from their schools in the southern part of the state.
Abducted schoolchildren’s prolonged captivity worries Borno govt- Wakilbe
Lawan Wakilbe, the state Commissioner of Education, Science, Technology and Innovations, spoke during an education summit organised by the state government to review its safe school initiative, inclusive education and gender issues.
“Naturally, every responsible government will be worried. The Borno government is worried. It is a deep concern. We will continue to pray for divine intervention for the release of these children,” he said.
He said the state initially presumed attacks on schools were over, especially after the 2014 Chibok schoolgirls incident that attracted global condemnation.
He noted that recent abductions at Mussa and Lassa schools in the state, however, underscored the need to do more on school safety. He assured that the government will continue to collaborate with security agencies and development partners to strengthen school safety through various measures, support inclusiveness in education, and promote gender responsiveness.
Wakilbe said the government was still working to secure the release of the students, who were abducted on 29 June.
He briefly displayed footage showing the abducted students seated on the ground, with some wearing the uniform of Government Day Secondary School, Lassa, whil. At the same time,rmed terrorists stood behind them holding a flag with Arabic inscriptions.
“Since the Chibok abduction, we have not experienced such an issue. Not until recently did we face such situations in Mussa and subsequently in Lassa.
“From the Lassa abduction, we have 36 students in captivity. Of these, 25 are girls and 11 boys,” he stated.
He noted that there was still no information on the students abducted from Lassa Community. He described attacks on schools as a major threat to education in the state.
“If this does not stop, progress will be halted, and much of what we have achieved will be reversed,” he said.
BusinessDay had earlier reported that 78 students remained in captivity following separate abductions in Borno State.
On 16 May, a total of 42 students and pupils were abducted after suspected Boko Haram terrorists attacked Mussa Primary and Junior Secondary School in Askira/Uba Local Government Area.
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