Tension and emotional anguish have continued to mount in Askira-Uba Local Government Area of Borno State as families of 42 schoolchildren abducted by suspected Boko Haram insurgents remain uncertain about their fate three weeks after the incident.
The prolonged captivity has left parents in a worsening psychological state, with many reportedly struggling with sleepless nights, anxiety, and emotional distress as hope of an early rescue gradually diminishes.
The situation was brought to public attention in Maiduguri during a press briefing by critical stakeholders from the area, who called for urgent and sustained intervention to secure the release of the abducted children and restore calm in the affected communities.
Speaking on behalf of the stakeholders, the Deputy Speaker of the Borno State House of Assembly and spokesman of the Askira-Uba Critical Stakeholders, Hon. Abdullahi Askira, said the emotional burden on parents had intensified as days turned into weeks without clear information on the whereabouts of the children.
He noted that while families initially exercised restraint and expressed confidence in security efforts, that hope has since been overshadowed by growing anxiety and despair.
According to him, the situation is more severe among parents with multiple children among the abductees, many of whom are said to be under immense emotional pressure.
Hon. Askira added that community leaders have remained in constant engagement with affected families, offering reassurance and urging them to remain patient as efforts to secure the children’s release continue.
He further appealed for a strengthened security presence in Askira-Uba Local Government Area, warning that repeated attacks in the area were aggravating fear among residents and disrupting normal community life.
The abduction occurred on May 15 when armed men suspected to be Boko Haram insurgents invaded a primary and junior secondary school in Mussa, a rural community in southern Borno near the Sambisa Forest axis.
The attackers, who reportedly arrived on motorcycles and a vehicle, whisked away dozens of pupils. A verification exercise conducted by school authorities later confirmed that 42 children were missing.
Security sources say efforts are ongoing to track and rescue the abducted students, even as pressure continues to mount on authorities to ensure their safe return and restore confidence in the troubled community.
