Senator Ali Ndume has urged the army to intensify efforts to rescue 78 schoolchildren and a teacher abducted by insurgents in two communities in Borno State.
The senator who represents Borno South in the National Assembly, made the appeal during a visit to the theatre command of ‘Operation Hadin Kai’, where he met with the Theatre Commander, Major General Abdulsalam Abubakar.
The abducted victims were taken during separate attacks on schools in Mussa and Lassa communities in Askira/Uba Local Government Area of the state.
According to the report, 42 pupils and students were abducted from primary and junior secondary schools in Mussa in May 2026.
A similar incident occurred in June when insurgents attacked Government Day Secondary School in Lassa, abducting 36 students and one teacher.
Sen. Ndume said his appeal should not be interpreted as criticism of the military but as part of his responsibility as a representative of the affected communities.
He acknowledged the efforts of the armed forces in tackling insurgency and restoring relative peace across Borno State but said the prolonged absence of the victims had increased anxiety among their families.
“We know you are making efforts, but because of the anxiety we all share and the length of time these people have remained away from their families, I have to continue to push for greater effort,” Sen. Ndume said.
“The people are anxious, and the families are waiting. We appreciate what the military is doing, but we will continue to appeal for greater efforts until our people are reunited with their families.”
The senator also commended the military and other security agencies for improved coordination and sustained operations against insurgents in the North-East.
He urged the military to maintain the momentum and intensify operations aimed at locating the abducted students and securing their safe return to their families.
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Responding, Major General Abubakar said the concerns raised by the senator have been noted, assuring that the military and other security agencies remain committed to ongoing operations across the theatre.
He said the operations were focused on protecting communities, stabilising areas affected by insurgency and facilitating the return of displaced residents.
Abubakar attributed some of the recent gains in the North-East to the support of the Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Waidi Shaibu, whom he described as having a strong understanding of the operational environment.
The theatre commander further disclosed plans to strengthen military presence in vulnerable areas through the establishment of new formations, deployment of additional troops and reinforcement of existing sectors.
As part of the strategy, he said about 1,000 youths from Southern Borno, mostly from Gwoza Local Government Area, would be recruited into the army.
The recruitment, he said, is expected to boost security operations across Southern Borno and adjoining areas of Adamawa State.
The development comes amid continued efforts by security agencies to contain insurgency and improve security in communities that have suffered attacks and abductions over the years.
