Borno's Cry: Parents Lament 155 Days of Children's Captivity Amid COAS Visit

The Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lieutenant-General Waidi Shuaibu, arrived in Maiduguri, the Borno State capital, on Saturday amidst escalating tensions and the threat of a protest by the parents of 78 school children abducted in May. This critical visit comes after the parents reluctantly postponed a planned journey to Abuja, where they intended to occupy the streets outside the Presidential Villa until President Bola Ahmed Tinubu personally addressed their predicament. The postponement was attributed to their crippling poverty, lack of transport funds, and the urgent need to leave food for their remaining dependents.

The 78 children were tragically abducted on May 15, 2026, from the Mussa and Lassa communities. This incident occurred on the same day that school teachers and students were kidnapped in Oyo State. However, while the Oyo victims have since been successfully rescued, the parents in Borno feel a profound sense of isolation and neglect. Ishaku Suya, Chairman of the Association of the Abducted Children’s Parents, expressed their dismay, stating, “We were surprised by the level of seriousness accorded to the Oyo children, thinking that the same would be extended to our children. Unfortunately, we were left alone to grieve.” Suya also highlighted that no high-ranking security chief had visited the affected communities since the tragic event.

The distressed parents are now pinning their hopes on the Chief of Army Staff’s current visit, urging him to personally inspect Mussa and Lassa, mirroring the prompt response of military leadership following the Oyo abduction. Their pressure coincides with increased legislative interest and recent executive interventions. Earlier in the week, Borno State Governor Babagana Zulum held a private meeting with President Tinubu in Abuja to discuss the captive children’s fate. Following this meeting, Governor Zulum reassured the public of the federal government’s unwavering commitment to securing their release. President Tinubu subsequently directed all heads of security agencies to launch rescue operations nationwide.

Adding to the executive mandate, Minister of Defence, Christopher Musa, announced on October 15 that the President had given explicit instructions to eliminate all terrorist and bandit camps across Nigeria, ensuring a secure environment, particularly in anticipation of the upcoming elections.

Upon his arrival in Maiduguri at approximately 11 a.m. on Saturday, Lt-Gen Shuaibu immediately commenced his duties. He held a closed-door meeting with senior officers of Operation Hadin Kai at the Maimalari Cantonment. Subsequently, he addressed the troops, tasking them to ensure a breach-free security environment during the 2027 electoral process and underscoring the vital need for inter-agency synergy. The COAS reminded the soldiers of recent increases in their salaries and enhanced logistical backing from the Federal Government, emphasizing, “To whom much is given, much is expected. You’ve been motivated in this fight against insurgency. As we go towards the elections, you must continue to provide the enabling environment… for it to be a hit-free exercise.” His engagements in Maiduguri also included a courtesy call on Governor Zulum, further highlighting the significance of his visit to address the multifaceted security challenges in the region.