RismadarVoice Reporters, May 29, 2026
Civil society organisations and activists have criticised the Federal Government over the continued captivity of 81 abducted Nigerian schoolchildren, describing the situation as a failure of the government’s fundamental responsibility to protect citizens.
In a statement issued after the 2026 Children’s Day celebration, the groups lamented that while the country marked a day dedicated to celebrating children and reflecting on their future, dozens of pupils were still being held by terrorists without decisive action from authorities to secure their release.
The organisations said the continued captivity of the children reflected the worsening insecurity across the country and questioned the government’s commitment to safeguarding lives.
“On Wednesday, May 27, 2026, Nigeria celebrated Children’s Day, an occasion meant to honour children and assess efforts toward securing a better future for them. Yet, at least 81 Nigerian schoolchildren remain in captivity,” the statement read.
According to the groups, the victims include 39 primary and secondary school pupils and seven teachers abducted by terrorists from schools in Oyo State.
They also disclosed that one of the abducted teachers, identified as Mr Oyedokun Olugbade, was recently beheaded by the attackers.
The statement further noted that another 42 children were abducted on May 15, 2026, by suspected Boko Haram insurgents during an attack on Mussa Primary and Junior Secondary School in Askira-Uba Local Government Area of Borno State.
The activists questioned why the government had failed to deploy available security and surveillance resources to rescue the children.
“It is only right on the occasion of this year’s Children’s Day celebration that we ask President Bola Tinubu: Where are our abducted children? Why have they not been found?” the groups stated.
They accused both the federal and state governments of responding to the incidents with “mere assurances” rather than decisive action.
The organisations argued that Nigeria’s security agencies possess the technological capacity to track individuals within the country and should be able to locate the abducted pupils.
“The question therefore is: why is this state-of-the-art surveillance technology not being deployed to rescue our children?” the statement added.
The groups also compared the current situation to the 2014 Chibok schoolgirls’ abduction during the administration of former President Goodluck Jonathan, alleging that the present government had shown a similar level of helplessness in addressing insecurity.
They criticised political leaders for focusing on party activities while children remained in captivity.
“While elections are undeniably important, the safety and welfare of Nigerians are far more important. A government unable to guarantee this has failed in its responsibility,” the statement noted.
The organisations called on Nigerians, labour unions, youths and civil society groups to embark on peaceful nationwide protests to demand the rescue of all abducted persons and improved security across the country.
The statement was jointly signed by several activists and organisations, including rapper and activist Falz, Hassan Soweto of the #EndBadGovernanceMovement, Mike Igaga of the Leadership Foundation, Yusha’u Yankuzo of the Nigeria Patriotic Front Movement, and representatives of various civil society and human rights groups.
