Residents of Askira/Uba Local Government Area of Borno State have staged a peaceful protest in Maiduguri, calling on authorities to intensify efforts to rescue 42 schoolchildren abducted nearly three weeks ago.
The protesters marched through parts of the state capital before addressing journalists, urging the federal and state governments to take urgent action to secure the release of the students.
The children were reportedly abducted on May 15 from Musa Primary and Junior Day Secondary School.
Leading the delegation, Deputy Speaker of the Borno State House of Assembly, Abdullahi Askira, said the community had remained patient while expecting security agencies to secure the children’s freedom.
He said the prolonged silence over the fate of the students had heightened anxiety among parents and residents.
According to him, every additional day in captivity deepens the suffering of affected families and the wider community.
The protesters called for the deployment of all available intelligence and security resources to accelerate rescue efforts and ensure the safe return of the children.
They also urged authorities to strengthen security in the area, noting that Askira/Uba shares a border with parts of the Sambisa Forest, making communities vulnerable to attacks by armed groups.
The delegation requested the establishment of stronger security measures, including fortified school perimeters, rapid response units, forward operating bases and sustained patrols across the area.
Residents said such measures are necessary to prevent future attacks and restore confidence in the safety of schools and communities.
As of the time of the protest, state and federal security authorities had not issued an official update on the status of rescue operations.
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