The Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) in Borno State has called on the government and security agencies to intensify efforts to rescue 78 schoolchildren who have been in captivity for more than 100 days.
CAN’s Borno chairman, Most Rev John Bakeni, made the appeal during a prayer session in Maiduguri on Sunday to mark the association’s 50th anniversary.
Mr Bakeni said the prolonged captivity of the children had made it difficult for the Christian community in the state to celebrate the anniversary without reflecting on the insecurity affecting residents.
“How do you celebrate when your children are in captivity, when your brothers and sisters are in captivity, when so many communities are being attacked and challenged by insecurity?” he said.
He said CAN had reached out to political leaders at both federal and state levels, urging them to take action to secure the release of those being held.
“These kids have spent over 100 days in captivity. You can imagine what their parents are going through,” Mr Bakeni said, adding that the victims and their families were facing significant pain and trauma.
He appealed to the federal and Borno state governments, as well as security agencies, to do everything possible to secure the children’s release.
“It is a responsibility that rests on their shoulders, so let them do something to rescue them because it is long overdue,” he said.
Two school attacks
The 78 children were abducted in two separate attacks in Askira-Uba Local Government Area of Borno State.
On 16 May, suspected Boko Haram militants attacked Mussa Primary and Junior Secondary School, abducting 42 pupils and students.
A second attack took place on 29 June at Government Day Secondary School in Lassa, where 36 students and a teacher were reportedly abducted.
The two incidents brought the reported number of missing schoolchildren to 78. (Punch Newspapers)
The families of the children have continued to appeal for their release, while concerns over the prolonged captivity have prompted calls from civil society and international organisations for stronger action to secure their return. (Businessday NG)
CAN said it would continue using advocacy and prayer to press for the safe return of the children and other people held captive in the state.
