Hungry Christian Parents Cannot Afford Trip to Abuja to Get Presidential Attention

As 78 Borno Schoolchildren Languish in Terrorist Camps

By Onibiyo Segun

ABUJA, Nigeria — Parents of abducted schoolchildren in Borno State well know that for government attention “the squeaky wheel gets the oil.”  Yet, they are struggling to feed the children still at home while trying to raise money to travel to Abuja and demand the return of those still missing. 

Their planned protest at the Presidential Villa has been postponed because they cannot afford transport, accommodation and food for the journey, according to Trust Radio.

“Families could not raise enough money for the planned trip while meeting their basic needs. Some parents were trying to harvest crops to finance the journey, even as insecurity had disrupted farming”, Ishaku Suya, chairman of the parents’ association, told Trust Radio.

The commonly reported figure is 78 schoolchildren missing according to TruthNigeria

 after separate attacks on Mussa on May 15 and Lassa on June 29, both in Askira-Uba county (Local Government Area) of Borno State. The total combines 42 children reported abducted from Mussa and 36 students from Lassa. One staff member from Lassa is also reported missing, bringing the reported number of people still held to 79.

Families Pay for Insecurity Twice

For families in the affected communities, the ordeal extends beyond the absence of their children. Fear has disrupted livelihoods, while the cost of seeking government intervention has become another obstacle.

Samuel Emmanuel, a parent from Lassa, told Trust Radio that, “farmers had avoided remote fields because of insecurity, leaving crops exposed and families without expected income. The loss of harvests makes it harder for parents to feed those at home, let alone finance travel to Abuja.”

According to a Daily Trust report, the families had earlier given the Federal Government a six-day ultimatum, from September 21 to 27, to secure the children’s release. The deadline passed without the children returning. Parents then planned to take their appeal to the President, but the cost of the journey forced them to postpone it.

Their inability to travel does not mean they have abandoned the demand. They want the government to explain what is being done and provide credible updates on the children’s whereabouts and prospects for release.

Assurances Must Produce Results

In a Punch newspaper report, Borno State Governor Babagana Zulum said President Bola Tinubu had assured him that the Army, Department of State Services and Office of the National Security Adviser would intensify efforts to secure the children’s release.

That assurance has not ended the families’ uncertainty. Parents want evidence of progress, even if operational details must remain confidential.

“There must be an accurate victim list, coordinated response involving security agencies and families, and regular briefings,” Major Fajola Ojomo (Rtd.) said. He added that success means children return, schools reopen safely and farmers resume work. “If parents cannot afford transport to Abuja, you have not protected them.”

Children Targeted for Their Faith?

Sahara Reporters and other media have identified the abducted children as Christians. That identity is important to the story, but it does not, by itself, prove that the attackers selected them because of their religion.

“Religious targeting and financial motives can coexist”, Prof. Makinde Oluoti, a clergy member and theologian told TruthNigeria. He urged investigators to establish whether attackers made religious statements, deliberately selected Christian communities or institutions, or treated victims differently because of their faith.

Oluoti went on to say, “the investigation should establish those facts. A clear account of what happened in Mussa and Lassa would help families and the public understand the nature of the threat.”

“The families’ inability to afford a protest should prompt the government to take its response directly to the affected communities. The government must go to them, not they have to go to Abuja,” Oluoti warned.

Schools and Farms Also Suffering

Premium Times reported that only 56 of Askira-Uba’s 113 primary schools were functioning by late August, down from 76 before the Mussa attack. Another 20 had closed because of insecurity, while 37 were already non-functional. Though not all closures resulted from the abductions, insecurity continues to threaten children’s education and safety.

The Mussa and Lassa attacks occurred just 45 days apart. The Lassa attack took place while students were taking national examinations. TruthNigeria previously reported on the abduction of students and women from a historic Christian stronghold, highlighting the wider threat facing vulnerable communities.

“The federal and Borno authorities must reconcile victim lists, update families, protect schools and farms, distinguish confirmed rescues, and ensure parents need not sacrifice feeding their families to seek justice”, Prof. Oluoti urged.

Onibiyo Segun reports on terrorism and conflict for TruthNigeria.continue.

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