64 Days After, Families Await Return of Abducted Mussa Pupils
Sunday, 19 July 2026
By Atlantic Digest News Desk
It has been 64 days since 42 pupils of Mussa Primary and Junior Secondary School in Askira Uba Local Government Area of Borno State were abducted by suspected insurgents, yet their whereabouts remain unknown, leaving their families in anguish and uncertainty.
The children, including toddlers, were kidnapped on May 15, 2026, when armed attackers stormed their school in Mussa community, located on the fringes of the Sambisa Forest. The incident occurred on the same day that pupils and teachers of Oriire School were also abducted in a separate attack.
While the Oriire pupils and their teachers have since regained their freedom, the Mussa pupils remain in captivity, with little public information from the authorities regarding efforts to secure their release.
The prolonged silence has heightened anxiety among parents and relatives, many of whom fear their children may suffer the same fate as some of the Chibok schoolgirls abducted in 2014, many of whom remain unaccounted for more than a decade later.
Speaking during the weekend, family members expressed frustration over the lack of updates from government officials and security agencies. They said every passing day deepens their fears, while they continue to cling to hope that the children will eventually return home safely.
Residents of the community have also appealed to both the federal and Borno State governments to intensify rescue operations and ensure that the abducted children are not forgotten. Community leaders stressed that the emotional and psychological impact of the tragedy continues to weigh heavily on affected families.
Security experts have repeatedly warned that prolonged captivity increases the risk faced by victims of insurgent abductions, making swift rescue efforts critical. Human rights advocates have also called on the authorities to provide regular updates to families and reassure them that every possible effort is being made to secure the children’s release.
The abduction once again highlights the persistent insecurity affecting parts of Nigeria’s North-East, where attacks on schools and communities continue despite ongoing military operations against insurgent groups.
As Nigeria marks the 64th day since the Mussa pupils were taken, parents say they have not lost hope. They continue to pray for the safe return of their children while urging the government to act with greater urgency to bring them home.
