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🇳🇬 Nigeria /Conflict & Security

Abducted pupils: ‘They are not politicians, release them,’ Borno stakeholders beg terrorists

From The Punch · () English

Summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Named sources Ongoing story
  • Stakeholders from Borno State, Nigeria, are pleading with the terrorists who abducted 42 schoolchildren to release them unconditionally.
  • They emphasize that the children are innocent and not politicians or soldiers, urging the abductors to fear God and not use them as bargaining chips.
  • The appeal comes after three weeks of captivity, with stakeholders expressing growing anxiety despite commending efforts by the President and Governor.

Community leaders and stakeholders from Askira/Uba Local Government Area in Borno State, Nigeria, have made an impassioned plea to the terrorists holding 42 schoolchildren captive, urging their immediate and unconditional release. The group, led by the Deputy Speaker of the Borno State House of Assembly, Abdullahi Askira, stressed that the abducted students are innocent children and should not be subjected to the trauma of prolonged detention.

"We passionately appeal to the conscience of those behind this heinous act: these are children, not soldiers or politicians. They are the future of Borno and Nigeria," Askira stated on Monday in Maiduguri. He implored the abductors to "fear Almighty God and release them unconditionally. Children must never be used as bargaining chips."

We passionately appeal to the conscience of those behind this heinous act: these are children, not soldiers or politicians. They are the future of Borno and Nigeria.

— Abdullahi AskiraDeputy Speaker of the Borno State House of Assembly, appealing to the abductors during a press conference in Maiduguri.

The prolonged captivity, now in its third week, has caused deep anxiety and emotional distress for the families and the wider community. Askira noted that community leaders had exercised restraint, trusting in the government and security agencies' efforts to secure the children's release. However, this patience has now turned into significant worry.

Despite the pressing concern over the abducted children, the stakeholders acknowledged the efforts of President Bola Tinubu and Governor Babagana Zulum in restoring peace and addressing security challenges in Borno State. They commended the President's commitment to national peace and Governor Zulum's support for the victims' families. The stakeholders also highlighted the vulnerability of the Askira/Uba area due to its proximity to Sambisa Forest, a known insurgent hideout. They called for enhanced security measures, including a fortified security architecture, strengthened school security, rapid-response units, and sustained patrols to protect the communities.

We urge you to fear Almighty God and release them unconditionally. Children must never be used as bargaining chips.

— Abdullahi AskiraDeputy Speaker of the Borno State House of Assembly, making a direct plea to the captors.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by The Punch. Summarized and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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