Zulum Tells Anxious Parents Tinubu Has Directed Security Agencies to Secure Children’s Release
By Danjuma Amodu
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, Governor Babagana Zulum has said.
Zulum gave the assurance on Friday during a meeting with parents of the abducted children at the Government House, Maiduguri, amid growing concern over the fate of the pupils who were taken from Mussa Central Primary School on May 15, 2026.
The meeting was convened at the request of the parents, who have been urging authorities to step up efforts to locate and rescue their children.
The governor said President Bola Tinubu had personally directed security agencies to ensure the safe recovery of the pupils, and assured the parents that the Federal Government, the Nigerian Armed Forces, and the Borno State Government were working in concert toward 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,” Zulum said.
He also conveyed the President’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,” he said.
Zulum assured the parents that authorities would deploy every necessary effort to bring the children home safely.
The abduction has renewed focus on the security of schools in Borno, where communities continue to face threats from insurgency and other forms of insecurity.
The governor’s engagement with the parents is expected to strengthen coordination between affected families and government authorities as security agencies continue efforts to secure the children’s release.
In attendance at the meeting were 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.
