CSOs Condemn Government Over Continued Captivity of 81 Abducted Schoolchildren
Activists accuse authorities of failing to protect children and demand urgent action to rescue pupils still held by terrorists in Oyo and Borno states.
Civil society organisations and activists have criticised the Federal Government over the continued captivity of 81 abducted schoolchildren, describing the situation as evidence of worsening insecurity in the country. The groups called for immediate rescue efforts and urged Nigerians to demand stronger protection for citizens.
Civil society organisations and human rights activists have condemned the Federal Government over the continued captivity of 81 Nigerian schoolchildren abducted by terrorists, insisting that any government unable to guarantee the safety of children has failed in its core responsibility.
In a statement issued after the 2026 Children’s Day celebration, the groups expressed concern that while Nigeria commemorated the annual event dedicated to children, dozens of pupils remained in the hands of kidnappers with little visible progress towards securing their freedom.
According to the organisations, the abducted victims include 39 primary and secondary school pupils alongside seven teachers who were kidnapped from schools in Oyo State.
The groups also referenced the reported killing of one of the abducted teachers, Mr. Oyedokun Olugbade, describing the development as tragic and disturbing.
They further noted that another 42 children were abducted on May 15, 2026, during an attack on Mussa Primary and Junior Secondary School in Askira-Uba Local Government Area of Borno State by suspected Boko Haram militants.
The activists questioned the Federal Government’s response to the incidents and demanded stronger efforts to locate and rescue the victims.
They argued that Nigeria’s security agencies possess the intelligence and surveillance capacity needed to track criminal groups and secure the release of abducted citizens.
The statement also criticised what the groups described as insufficient urgency from both federal and state authorities in addressing the growing insecurity affecting schools and communities across the country.
Comparisons were drawn with previous administrations, with the activists warning that continued inaction could further erode public confidence in government institutions and national security structures.
The organisations maintained that the safety and welfare of citizens should remain a top priority above political activities and electoral interests.
They also called on Nigerians, labour unions, youths and civil society groups to organise peaceful nationwide protests demanding the rescue of all abducted persons and improved security across the country.
The statement was jointly signed by several activists and civil society leaders, including rapper and activist Falz, Hassan Soweto of the #EndBadGovernanceMovement, Mike Igaga of Leadership Foundation, and representatives of other advocacy and human rights organisations.
