Dare Babalola
Civil society groups and activists, including rapper Falz, have accused President Bola Ahmed Tinubu of failing to secure the release of abducted schoolchildren across the country, asking, “Where are our children?” in a statement issued on Thursday.
The groups said at least 81 schoolchildren remain in captivity following separate abductions in Oyo State and Borno State.
According to the statement, 39 pupils and seven teachers were abducted from Baptist Nursery and Primary School, Yawota, Community Grammar School, Esinele, and L.A. Primary School, Ahoro-Esinele in Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State. The signatories added that one of the abducted teachers, identified as Mr. Oyedokun Olugbade, was recently killed by the abductors.
They also alleged that 42 children were kidnapped on May 15, 2026, during an attack on Mussa Primary and Junior Secondary School in Askira-Uba Local Government Area of Borno State by suspected Boko Haram insurgents.
The activists criticised both the federal and state governments for what they described as inadequate efforts to rescue the victims, accusing authorities of offering “platitudinous statements of assurance” while failing to act decisively.
The statement questioned why surveillance and security capabilities allegedly available to the government had not been effectively deployed to secure the children’s release.
The groups further compared the current administration’s handling of insecurity to the response of former President Goodluck Jonathan during the 2014 abduction of the Chibok schoolgirls, accusing the government of nonchalance amid worsening insecurity.
They argued that a government unable to guarantee the safety and welfare of citizens had “no moral authority” to seek re-election.
The signatories called on Nigerians, labour unions, youth groups and civil society organisations to stage peaceful nationwide protests demanding the rescue of all abducted persons and improved security across the country.
Other signatories to the statement include Hassan Taiwo Soweto, Mike Igaga, Yusha’u Sani Yankuzo, Rufus Olusesan, Segun Oladunni, Jonathan Ugbal, Richard Inoyo, Salako Kayode, Omole Ibukun, Adaramoye Michael, Oluwaseyi Akinde, Abdullah Bilal and Daniel Akande.
