MBF Accuses FG, Borno, Kaduna Govts of “Forgetting” Abducted Children, Compares Response to Oyo Rescue

• Forum lists 100 victims in Southern Borno, Southern Kaduna still in captivity, demands equal urgency

By Ralph Madugu

The Middle Belt Forum, MBF, on Tuesday accused the Federal Government and the governments of Borno and Kaduna States of abandoning hundreds of abducted school children and civilians, while giving “extensive attention” to the rescue of victims in Oyo State.

In a statement signed by its Spokesman, Luka Binniyat and released on July 15, 2026, the MBF commended the rescue of school children and teachers kidnapped in Oyo State on May 15, 2026, but said the same energy was missing for victims in Southern Borno and Southern Kaduna.

The Forum said that on the same day of the Oyo abduction, Boko Haram terrorists attacked Government Day Secondary School, Mussa, in Askira/Uba LGA of Borno State.

According to MBF, 42 innocent children were abducted from a school compound that included a secondary, primary and nursery school, including toddlers as young as two years old.

“While the entire nation rightly mobilized in support of the Oyo victims, the children of Mussa have suffered in almost complete silence,” MBF stated.

It cited “little visible concern” from the Borno State Government, the Federal Government, the Nigerian Union of Teachers (NUT, and civil society.

The Forum said all the victims in Southern Borno and Southern Kaduna “remain in captivity, while their families continue to endure unimaginable pain with little reassurance from those entrusted with protecting them.”

MBF faulted what it called misplaced priorities, noting that “enormous public resources continue to be devoted to programmes for so-called repentant Boko Haram members in Borno State and various rehabilitation initiatives for repentant bandits in Kaduna State.”

“The Middle Belt Forum believes that no government should appear more concerned about rehabilitating criminals than rescuing innocent citizens still held by those same criminals,” the statement said.

The Forum warned that the “continued silence sends a dangerous message that some Nigerian lives matter more than others.”

It, however, demanded that the Borno and Kaduna State Governments should show “the same commitment and determination shown by the Oyo State Government” and give families “regular briefings on the efforts being made.”

It called on the Federal Government to “intensify rescue operations for all citizens still held by terrorists, including the school children of Mussa, Lassa, Shikarkir, Ariko, Awon and every other forgotten community.”

It also called on the Nigerian Union of Teachers to extend “the same solidarity to the victims in Southern Borno” and speak “with the same outrage and conviction.”

It further called on civil society, media, religious leaders and the international community not to allow the victims “to disappear from public consciousness.”

“Every Nigerian child held hostage by enemies of society deserves to be remembered. Every hostage deserves hope. Every family deserves justice,” MBF said.

The Forum anchored its call on Section 14(2)(b) of the 1999 Constitution, which states that “the security and welfare of the people shall be the primary purpose of government.”

As of press time, the Federal Government, Borno and Kaduna State Governments had not responded to the MBF statement.

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