A member of the House of Representatives, Mohammed Bello El-Rufai, has urged the Federal Government and security agencies to prioritise the rescue of schoolchildren abducted in Borno State.
The lawmaker, who represents Kaduna North Federal Constituency, made the call in a statement on Tuesday as the children approach 130 days in captivity.
The pupils were kidnapped in separate attacks on Mussa and Lassa communities in Askira/Uba Local Government Area of Borno State.
About 44 children from Mussa Ward and 36 students from Lassa were taken during raids that began on May 15 and June 29 respectively, though some reports give varying figures for the number still held.
The latest appeal follows a protest by parents and community members from the two communities on Monday.
The protesters warned they would take their demonstration to the Presidential Villa in Abuja if the children are not freed within six days.
They also questioned why schoolchildren abducted in Oyo State had been rescued while those from Borno remain in captivity.
Reacting to the prolonged ordeal, Bello El-Rufai described the situation as unacceptable.“130 days is far too long.
The continued captivity of schoolchildren abducted in Mussa and Lassa, Borno State, is unacceptable.
“We cannot allow this situation to become another statistic or a forgotten tragedy,” he said.
The lawmaker commended security forces for recent successes, including the rescue of schoolchildren abducted in Oyo State, and said those achievements should spur greater urgency in freeing the Borno captives.
“I commend our security forces for their successes elsewhere, including the rescue of the Oyo schoolchildren. But that success must reinforce the urgency of bringing these children home, not diminish it,” he added.
The Oyo and Borno abductions reportedly occurred on the same day. The Oyo pupils were later freed after spending almost two months in captivity.
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