Deji Elumoye in Abuja
A member of the National Assembly, Senator Ali Ndume, has called on the Nigerian Army to redouble its efforts to secure the release of 78 school children and one teacher abducted by insurgents from Mussa and Lassa, two communities in Southern Borno.
In May, 2026, 42 pupils were abducted from Primary and Junior Secondary Schools in Mussa while a similar incident occurred last June when the insurgents attacked Government Day Secondary School, Lassa, in Askira/Uba Local Government Area, abducting 36 students and one teacher.
In a release issued by his media office, the ranking Senator made the appeal during a visit to the Theatre Command, North East ‘Operation Hadin, where he met with the Theatre Commander, Major General Abdulsalam Abubakar.
The former Senate Leader hailed the Nigerian military for its sustained efforts in combating insurgency and restoring relative peace across the region.
Ndume, who incidentally represents Borno South in the National Assembly stressed that his call should not be misconstrued as an indictment of the military but as a reflection of the responsibility of a representative of the people to continue to draw attention to their plight and demand action where necessary.
His words:” 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.
“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.”
He acknowledged significant improvement in security situation in Borno state which he attributed to the sacrifices of officers and soldiers operating across the theatre.
Ndume also commended the coordination and synergy among the security agencies, describing it as a major factor behind the gains recorded in the fight against insurgency.
He further appealed to the military to sustain the momentum and intensify operations towards locating and safely reuniting all remaining abductees with their families.
Responding, General Abubakar thanked the ranking Senator for the visit and assured him that the concerns raised over the abducted victims in captivity of the insurgents had been noted.
The commander reiterated commitment of the Army and other security agencies to ongoing operations aimed at protecting communities, stabilising affected areas and ensuring the safe return of residents displaced by years of insurgency.
Abubakar attributed the feats recorded in the theatre to the support of the Chief of Army Staff, Lt. General Waidi Shaibu, whom he noted has a deep understanding of the operational environment in the North-East.
He also assured that the military would continue to expand its presence across vulnerable areas through the establishment of new formations, deployment of additional troops and strengthening of existing sectors.
As part of proactive measure to improve military presence across Southern Borno and adjoining parts of Adamawa State, the Theatre Commander disclosed that about 1,000 Southern Borno youths, mostly from Gwoza Local Government Area of Borno State would be recruited into the military.