Senator representing Borno South, Mohammed Ndume, has urged the Nigerian military to intensify efforts to rescue schoolchildren and other residents abducted from communities in the southern part of Borno State.
The Punch reported that Ndume made the appeal during a visit to the Headquarters of the Theatre Command, Northeast Joint Task Force, Operation Hadin Kai, in Maiduguri on Wednesday.
The victims include pupils abducted from Mussa and Lassa communities in Askira/Uba Local Government Area, passengers kidnapped along the Buratai axis, and some residents still being held after the attack on Ngoshe in Gwoza Local Government Area.
According to a statement posted on his official Facebook page on Thursday, Ndume commended the military for its continued operations against insurgency but expressed concern over the prolonged captivity of the victims.
He said, “Most importantly, General, I know you are putting in your best efforts towards the rescue of our children in Mussa and Lassa, the passengers abducted along the Buratai axis and the remaining victims from Ngoshe.
“We know you are making efforts, but because of the anxiety we all share and the length of time these people have remained away from their families, I have to continue to push for greater effort.”
The senator noted that some of the abducted persons had spent more than 100 days away from their families, a situation he said had heightened anxiety among their relatives and affected communities.
Ndume stressed that his appeal was not intended to undermine the military’s sacrifices or ongoing efforts, but to fulfil his responsibility as a representative of the affected communities.
“Like Oliver Twist, I have come to ask for more for my people. It is my moral obligation to commend you when you do well and also bring the concerns of my constituents before you,” he said.
He also praised the coordination between the military and other security agencies, describing their synergy as an important factor behind the progress recorded in the fight against insurgency.
Responding, the Theatre Commander, Major General Abubakar Abdulsalam, thanked Ndume for the visit and said the concerns raised about the abducted victims had been noted.
Abdulsalam reaffirmed the commitment of the Nigerian Army and other security agencies to ongoing operations aimed at protecting communities, stabilising affected areas and facilitating the safe return of residents displaced by years of insurgency.
He attributed the gains recorded in the theatre to the support of the Chief of Army Staff, whom he said had a strong understanding of the operational challenges in the North-East.
The Punch had earlier reported that 42 pupils were abducted from Mussa Primary and Junior Secondary School on May 15 after suspected insurgents attacked the community.
On June 29, suspected insurgents also attacked Government Day Secondary School, Lassa, in Askira/Uba Local Government Area, abducting 36 students and a teacher.
The two attacks brought the reported number of abducted students to 78.
