The people of Askira Uba/Hawul Federal Constituency of Borno State have urged the federal and state governments to intensify efforts to rescue the 78 persons abducted by suspected terrorists in the area.

Addressing ‌⁠‍‍⁠⁠‌‌‍‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠‌journalists at the National Assembly Complex in Abuja on Friday, the secretary of Hawul Askira-Uba Elders’ Forum, Malla Gadzama, said the abductees had spent a total of 101 days in captivity.

According to him, among the victims are 42 pupils and students from Mussa Primary and Junior Day Secondary School who were abducted on May 15 in Askira-Uba Local Government Area.

He recalled that the unfortunate incident occurred on the same day the pupils and teachers from Esinele and Yawota communities in Oriire Local Government Area in Oyo State were abducted.

Mr Gadzama said 36 of the students abducted from Government Day Secondary School, Lassa, on June 29 during National Examinations Council (NECO) examinations were still missing.

While commending the federal government for the release of the Oyo victims, he said the same strategy should be applied to release victims in Askira Uba/Hawul federal constituency.

According to him, protecting lives and property is the primary essence of government, maintaining that citizens’ welfare is a right, not a privilege.

He urged President Bola Tinubu to urgently intervene and ensure that every available national security resource was mobilised toward the rescue of the abducted children and citizens.

Mr Gadzama also urged Governor Babagana Zulum of Borno to continue using the full weight of his office to press for the immediate rescue of these children and all other abducted citizens of the state.

“We stand before you today with broken hearts, but also with determination and an urgent demand: bring our children home. For 101 days, families have lived through unimaginable pain, anxiety, fear and suffering, following the abduction of their children and loved ones. This is not about numbers; this is about human lives. This is about our children, our brothers and sisters, our wives and husbands; this is about fathers and mothers.

“This is about families who have suffered for 101 days and counting. Government exists to protect its people. The constitution recognises the security and welfare of the people as a primary purpose of government. Therefore, we respectfully appeal but unequivocally demand immediate rescue and safe return of the 42 pupils and students abducted from Mussa Primary and Junior Day Secondary School.

“We appeal and demand the immediate rescue and safe return of the 36 students still missing from Government Day Secondary School, Lassa. We demand the immediate rescue of the 38 persons reportedly abducted on Buratai Road to Maiduguri and urgent action to rescue all other persons abducted along the Chibok route and other dangerous routes across Borno,” he said.

The secretary assured the families of the victims that they would not be forgotten, as their children, brothers and sisters, husbands and wives are part of the community.

He pledged that the forum would continue to speak, ask, and demand action on the safe return of every single person taken from their families.

“To our children who may hear these words, wherever you are, your families are waiting for you, your communities are waiting for you, Nigeria is waiting for you, and we believe you must come home,” he said.

(NAN)