HURIWA urges quick rescue of Borno schoolchildren, teachers

The Human Rights Writers Association of Nigeria (HURIWA) has called on the Federal Government to quickly rescue abducted schoolchildren and teachers in Borno State.

The group said 80 schoolchildren and teachers have been held in captivity by terrorists in Borno State for five months after abduction, stating that their fate was being ruined if they continue in captivity without being rescued.

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HURIWA said President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has constitutional responsibility to initiate action leading to the rescue of the captives, noting that citizens shouldn’t beg their government to do what was necessary to protect their lives and property.

The group expressed concern over the prolong stay of victims in terrorists den, questioning the effectiveness of governance and capacity of security operatives and their commitment to the protection of vulnerable persons.

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HURIWA reminded President Bola Ahmed Tinubu of his central responsibility, urging him to assert leadership that would see to the rescue of the victims.

The association said, rescuing the abducted schoolchildren and teachers was not a honour done, but a discharge of constitutional responsibility of the office of the president and Commander-in-Chief.

They called on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to urgently intervene for security agents to wade in and rescue them.

Reports said the victims victims were abducted in two separate attacks in Mussa and Lassa communities in Askira/Uba Local Government Area of Borno State between May and June 2026.

Reports indicate that about 40 to 44 children were taken in the first attack, although the exact number remains disputed, while 36 pupils and a teacher were reportedly abducted in the second incident.

The association said the families of the abducted schoolchildren were already distressed as they keep waiting for their return to no avail.

In a statement issued by Comrade Emmanuel Nnadozie Onwubiko
National Coordinator, Human Rights Writers Association of Nigeria (HURIWA) and made available to journalists on Monday in Abuja, said, the effort of government that saw to the release of the Oyo Schoolchildren should be applied for their release.

HURIWA said the concerns expressed by the parents deserve urgent attention rather than repeated assurances without publicly verifiable progress.

The association also called for a comprehensive review of the Safe School Initiative, introduced after the 2014 abduction of 276 schoolgirls from Chibok, Borno State.

It said the persistence of school abductions more than a decade after the initiative’s introduction points to the need for stronger implementation, improved intelligence gathering, better coordination among security agencies and accountability for lapses.

HURIWA further stressed that securing schools must go beyond physical infrastructure to include early-warning systems, rapid emergency responses and effective protection for communities surrounding vulnerable schools.

The association urged the Federal Government to intensify lawful and intelligence-led efforts to secure the release of all the captives without exposing them to additional danger.
It also called on the authorities to provide affected families with credible updates on rescue efforts while avoiding disclosures that could compromise ongoing security operations.

HURIWA said the children must not be allowed to become forgotten victims of Nigeria’s protracted insecurity crisis.

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