Borno Kidnappings: Ndume Appeals for Swift Rescue of Students

With the hues and cries surrounding the level of insecurity in North-Eastern Nigeria, former Senate Leader, Senator Ali Ndume, has called on the Nigerian military to expedite action towards the release of victims still in captivity, especially schoolchildren kidnapped from two communities in Southern Borno: Mussa and Lassa.

The lawmaker made the call during a visit to the Theatre Command, North East ‘Operation Hadin Kai’, where he met with the Theatre Commander, Major General Abdulsalam Abubakar.
Senator Ndume, who applauded the Nigerian military for its sustained efforts in combating insurgency and restoring relative peace across the North-Eastern region, appealed for greater efforts to ensure the release of the remaining victims.
It is on record that in May this year, 42 pupils were abducted from Mussa Primary and Junior Secondary Schools in Mussa. A similar incident occurred last June when the same group attacked Government Day Secondary School, Lassa, in Askira/Uba Local Government Area, abducting 36 students and one teacher.
The lawmaker, who currently represents Borno South in the 10th National Assembly, explained that his call should not be mistaken as an indictment of the military but as a reflection of the responsibility of a representative of the people to continue to draw attention to their plight and demand action where necessary.
He said: “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 people are anxious, and the families are waiting. We appreciate what the military is doing, but we will continue to appeal for greater efforts until our people are reunited with their families.”
Senator Ndume, who was former Chairman of the Senate Committee on Army, acknowledged significant improvement in the security situation in Borno State, which he attributed to the sacrifices of officers and soldiers operating across the theatre.
He equally thanked the military for the coordination and synergy among the security agencies, describing it as a major factor behind the gains recorded in the fight against insurgency.
Senator Ndume further appealed to the military to sustain the momentum and intensify operations towards locating and safely reuniting all remaining abductees with their families.
In his response, General Abubakar thanked Senator Ndume for the visit and assured him that the concerns raised over the abducted victims in the captivity of insurgents had been noted.
The commander gave the assurance that the Nigerian Army and other security agencies would not relent in ongoing efforts aimed at protecting communities, stabilising affected areas and ensuring the safe return of residents displaced by years of insurgency.
General Abubakar attributed the feats recorded in the theatre to the support of the Chief of Army Staff, Lt. General Waidi Shaibu, whom he noted has a deep understanding of the operational environment in the North-East.
He stated that the military would continue to expand its presence across vulnerable areas through the establishment of new formations, deployment of additional troops and strengthening of existing sectors.
He said that, in order to ensure adequate military presence across Southern Borno and adjoining parts of Adamawa State, about 1,000 Southern Borno youths, mostly from Gwoza Local Government Area of Borno State, would be recruited into the military.