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🇳🇬 Nigeria /Disasters & Emergencies

Borno parent laments schoolchildren's captivity, questions unequal rescue efforts

From The Punch · () English

Translated from English, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Named sources Ongoing story
  • A parent in Borno State is pleading with President Bola Tinubu to intervene for the release of schoolchildren abducted nearly 100 days ago.
  • The parent questions why children abducted in Oyo State on the same day have been rescued, while the Borno victims remain captive.
  • Families are in anguish, with some parents hospitalized due to the prolonged uncertainty and lack of information about their children's safety and well-being.

Nearly 100 days after their abduction, a parent from Borno State is expressing deep anguish and questioning the government's response to the ongoing captivity of schoolchildren. The parent directly appealed to President Bola Tinubu, highlighting a perceived disparity in the government's actions compared to the swift rescue of students abducted in Oyo State on the same day.

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, what I have to tell him now, let him rule Nigeria with equal destiny, equal value.

— Parent of abducted schoolchildrenThe parent appealed to the Nigerian President for equitable treatment in the rescue efforts for abducted children.

"President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, what I have to tell him now, let him rule Nigeria with equal destiny, equal value," the parent stated, emphasizing the shared humanity of all abducted children. "Because these are our children, they were adopted on the same day with the children of Oyo State. Well, those of Oyo State have been rescued for over a month. While, our children are still in captivity for almost 100 days."

Because these are our children, they were adopted on the same day with the children of Oyo State. Well, those of Oyo State have been rescued for over a month. While, our children are still in captivity for almost 100 days.

— Parent of abducted schoolchildrenThe parent highlighted the perceived disparity in the government's response to abductions in Borno and Oyo states.

The prolonged uncertainty has taken a severe toll on the families. Some parents have reportedly been hospitalized due to the stress and lack of information. "Some of us cannot even speak to the media because of the conditions. Some of us are still in the hospital up to now," the parent revealed, adding that three individuals are currently hospitalized because of the situation. The families desperately seek the safe return of their children, expressing fears about their well-being.

Some of us cannot even speak to the media because of the conditions. Some of us are still in the hospital up to now.

— Parent of abducted schoolchildrenThe parent described the severe psychological and physical toll the prolonged captivity has taken on families.

Adding to the distress is the young age of some abducted children. The parent shared, "My daughter reached her own four years on 17 July last month. Well, others are still there in captivity, younger than my own daughter." The lack of any communication or assurance about the children's safety, whether they are being fed or sheltered, leaves families in a state of unbearable worry. "We don’t know, even me as I’m speaking like this, I don’t know whether our children are still alive or they are dead," the parent confessed.

My daughter reached her own four years on 17 July last month. Well, others are still there in captivity, younger than my own daughter.

— Parent of abducted schoolchildrenThe parent emphasized the young age of the abducted children, intensifying the distress over their prolonged captivity.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by The Punch in English. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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