The Federal Government and Borno State Government have stepped up efforts to secure the safe release of the 44 primary school pupils abducted from Mussa community in Askira/Uba Local Government Area of the state, Governor Babagana Zulum has said.
Zulum gave the assurance on Friday, 21 August, 2026, when he met with parents of the abducted children at the Government House, Maiduguri, amid growing concern over the fate of the pupils who were taken from Mussa Central Primary School on May 15, 2026.
The meeting was convened at the request of the parents, who have been pressing the authorities to intensify efforts to locate and rescue their children.
The Governor said President Bola Tinubu had personally directed security agencies to ensure the safe recovery of the pupils, assuring the parents that the Federal Government, Nigerian Armed Forces and Borno State Government were working together towards their release.
“On behalf of the government and people of Borno State, I once again extend my sympathies over what happened at Mussa Central Primary School on the 15th of May 2026 that led to the abduction of about 44 primary school pupils,” Zulum said.
He also conveyed the President’s sympathy to the affected families.
“On behalf of the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Bola Ahmed Tinubu, I want to sympathise with you. I want to assure you that Mr President has since directed security agencies to ensure the rescue of our children, and I believe they are working to ensure their rescue,” he said.
Zulum assured the parents that the authorities would deploy every necessary effort to bring the children home safely.
The development has renewed attention on the security of schools in Borno, where communities continue to face threats from insurgency and other forms of insecurity.
The governor’s meeting with the parents is expected to strengthen coordination between the affected families and government authorities as security agencies continue efforts to secure the children’s release.
The meeting was attended by the Senator representing Southern Borno, Mohammed Ali Ndume; Acting Chief of Staff to the Governor, Dr Babagana Mustapha Mallumbe; Commissioner for Education, Engr Lawan Abba Wakilbe; Commissioner for Inter-Governmental Affairs and Special Duties, Dr Samaila Abdulaziz Satumari; and Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Environment, Dr Juliana Bitrus.
