‘NO NIGERIAN CHILD SHOULD FEAR FOR THEIR LIFE’ — MAKINDE ON BORNO ABDUCTIONS

Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde has called for intensified efforts to rescue more than 40 children abducted in Borno State, who have remained in captivity for 137 days.

Makinde made the appeal on Tuesday while receiving the report of the Judicial Commission of Inquiry set up to investigate the May 15, 2026 abduction of students and teachers from Esinele and Yawota communities in Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State.

The governor used the occasion to draw attention to the Borno victims who were abducted on the same day as the Oyo incident.

“Let me end this remark by calling for intensified efforts to rescue the over 40 children kidnapped in Borno State on the same day as the Oriire abduction, who remain in captivity 137 days later,” Makinde said.

‘NO NIGERIAN CHILD SHOULD FEAR FOR THEIR LIFE’

Makinde said children should be able to attend school without fear for their safety.

“No Nigerian child, irrespective of what corner of Nigeria they may be located, should have to fear for their life because they are trying to get educated,” he said.

His statement comes amid continued calls by families and communities in Borno for government action to secure the release of the abducted children.

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Earlier in September, parents and community members from Mussa and Lassa in Askira/Uba Local Government Area appealed to the Federal Government to rescue the children, warning that they could no longer remain silent over their prolonged captivity.

MAKINDE PRESENTS OYO INQUIRY REPORT

The governor’s appeal came as he received the report of the commission investigating the May 15 abduction in Oyo.

Makinde said the report would guide government decisions, assign responsibilities and allow members of the public to monitor progress on measures taken following the incident.

“So, this commission’s report will lead to decisions, assigned responsibilities, and progress that the public can follow. Our children’s safety must be the test of what changes,” he said.

He also urged Nigerians who had followed the investigation to examine the evidence presented by the commission and the actions taken by government.

“Please examine the evidence, examine what we did before, what happened when the attack came, what this commission has found, and what we do in response,” Makinde said.

“And judge us by that full record and hold us to the changes we promise,” he added.

FAMILIES STILL WAITING

The Borno children were abducted in a separate attack on a school in the state on May 15. More than four months later, the children remain in captivity, with families and community representatives continuing to demand their rescue.

The prolonged captivity has kept the security of schools and children at the centre of public concern. For the families involved, however, the issue remains more immediate: the return of their children. ValidViewNetwork reports.