# Nigeria: Children Remain Missing Weeks After Abduction
Parents of 78 students and pupils abducted by Boko Haram in Borno State have expressed alarm over the lack of information about their children's whereabouts. The missing children comprise 42 pupils and students from Mussa Primary and Junior Secondary School and 36 students from Lassa Government Day Secondary School in Askira-Uba local government area. The abductions occurred weeks before the parents' recent pleas for information, with authorities providing no updates on the children's status or condition.
The kidnappings reflect broader insecurity affecting educational institutions across Nigeria. In a related incident in Oyo State, gunmen abducted Matthew Kolawale Owoade, a 60-year-old headmaster of Nomadic Basic School in Itesiwaju Local Government Area. The abduction occurred on Saturday around 6:00 p.m. as Owoade was returning home from his farm. The kidnappers demanded a 30 million naira ransom for his release.
The Borno State abductions have prompted official attention at high levels. Governor Seyi Makinde of Oyo State called for United Nations scrutiny of school abductions in the region, arguing that international oversight would strengthen rather than undermine public confidence in Nigeria's institutions. The governor's request underscores concerns about the government's capacity to address the persistent security challenges threatening students and educators across the country.
In-depth summary · AI, neutral