• The House of Representatives has called for the immediate rescue of 42 schoolchildren abducted from Mussa Ward in Askira-Uba LGA of Borno State
• The lawmakers expressed concern that continued insecurity is discouraging school enrollment and attendance in vulnerable communities
• The House urged security agencies to intensify efforts to secure the release of all abducted persons currently in captivity

The House of Representatives has called on the Federal Government and security agencies to urgently secure the release of 42 schoolchildren abducted from Mussa Ward in Askira-Uba Local Government Area of Borno State.

The lawmakers also urged the government to establish a comprehensive national framework aimed at protecting schools and preventing future attacks on students and educational institutions across the country.

The resolution followed a motion of urgent public importance moved by the member representing Askira-Uba/Hawul Federal Constituency, Midala Balami, during plenary on Tuesday, June 2.

While presenting the motion, Balami expressed deep concern over the abduction and the recurring attacks on schools and communities in parts of the country, describing the situation as a major threat to education and national security.

He stressed that protecting students, teachers, and school communities remains “a fundamental responsibility of government at all levels.”

The lawmaker recalled several high-profile abductions and attacks in Borno State, including the kidnapping of the Chibok schoolgirls in 2014, many of whom remain missing more than a decade later.

He also referenced attacks on communities such as Ngoshe and incidents along the Biu-Buratai Road.

According to him, the continuous targeting of schools and communities is affecting access to education, creating fear among residents, and weakening public trust in government efforts to tackle insecurity.

“The House is concerned that the recurring attacks on schools and communities continue to threaten access to education, endanger lives, traumatise families, disrupt livelihoods, and undermine public confidence in the capacity of government to guarantee security,” Balami said.

He warned that persistent insecurity is discouraging school enrolment and attendance in vulnerable communities, particularly in conflict-affected areas.

Balami further noted that the latest incident highlights “the urgent need for decisive and coordinated action to safeguard schools, restore public confidence, and secure the release of all abducted persons.”

The lawmaker also pointed to growing frustration among citizens over insecurity, saying communities are increasingly demanding visible results.

“Communities are increasingly losing confidence in government responses to insecurity and economic hardship, and are demanding visible and concrete actions rather than repeated assurances,” he stated.

Following deliberations, the House adopted the motion and called on relevant authorities to take immediate steps to rescue the abducted children and other victims currently being held captive.

Lawmakers further advocated stronger security measures around schools in Borno State and other high-risk regions through increased deployment of security personnel, improved intelligence gathering, and effective rapid-response systems.

They also recommended expanding school safety initiatives, including community-based security arrangements, early warning systems, surveillance infrastructure, and security awareness programmes.

As part of the resolutions, the House mandated its Committees on National Security, Defence, Basic Education, and Legislative Compliance to engage security agencies and provide updates on efforts to secure the release of the abducted children and improve school safety nationwide.

The lawmakers also urged the Federal Government to develop and implement a comprehensive Safe Schools Security Framework designed to protect students, teachers, and educational institutions from future attacks.

“The safety of our children and the protection of education must remain a national priority. Our children deserve to learn in an environment free from fear, and our citizens deserve the assurance that government will act decisively to protect lives and property. The time for action is now,” Balami said.

Teachers protest in Ibadan over abduction of colleagues, students in Oriire

Meanwhile, TheRadar earlier reported that teachers under the aegis of the National Union of Teachers (NUT) in Oyo State staged a peaceful protest in Ibadan, demanding the immediate rescue of teachers and students abducted by suspected terrorists in Oriire Local Government Area of the state.

The protest followed the abduction of more than 40 pupils, students and teachers during an attack on schools in Esiele community, Oriire Local Government Area, on May 15.

The incident, which has sparked widespread fear and outrage across the state, remains unresolved nearly three weeks after the victims were taken into captivity.