HURIWA Demands Rescue of 42 Abducted Borno Schoolchildren, Seeks Stronger School Security ‎

By Odita Sunday

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‎The Human Rights Writers Association of Nigeria (HURIWA) has called on the Federal Government and security agencies to intensify efforts to secure the immediate rescue of 42 schoolchildren abducted by suspected Boko Haram/ISWAP terrorists in Askira-Uba Local Government Area of Borno State.

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‎In a statement issued on Tuesday, the National Coordinator of HURIWA, Comrade Emmanuel Onwubiko, expressed deep concern over the continued captivity of the children nearly three weeks after they were abducted from Primary and Junior Secondary Schools in Mussa community.

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‎According to Onwubiko, the prolonged silence surrounding the whereabouts of the children has heightened anxiety among families and raised concerns about the urgency of official efforts to secure their release.

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‎He noted that among the abductees are toddlers aged between two and four years, describing the incident as one of the most disturbing attacks on vulnerable children in recent years.

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‎”The Federal Government, security agencies and all relevant authorities must immediately coordinate all available resources to secure the safe rescue of these innocent children. Every Nigerian child matters and every Nigerian child deserves protection regardless of where they live,” Onwubiko said.

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‎The rights group expressed concern over what it described as an apparent disparity in public attention and official response to the Borno abduction when compared with similar incidents in other parts of the country.

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‎According to HURIWA, security interventions and rescue efforts should not be influenced by geography, social status or political considerations.

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‎The organisation specifically urged President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the National Security Adviser, the Chief of Defence Staff, the Minister of Defence, the Inspector-General of Police and other security agencies to intensify rescue operations and provide regular updates to the public.

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‎HURIWA also welcomed recent remarks by the Minister of Defence, General Christopher Musa (retd.), highlighting education as a critical tool in combating extremism and terrorism.

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‎However, Onwubiko argued that educational advancement can only thrive in an environment where schools, teachers and pupils are adequately protected.

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‎”It is contradictory to encourage school enrolment while educational institutions remain vulnerable targets for terrorists, bandits and criminal gangs,” he stated.

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‎The group called for the deployment of specialised security personnel to vulnerable schools, the establishment of rapid-response units around educational institutions, installation of surveillance systems, improved intelligence gathering and expansion of the Safe Schools Initiative nationwide.

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‎Beyond physical security measures, HURIWA urged the Federal Government to formally integrate structured home education and remote learning options into Nigeria’s educational framework.

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‎According to the organisation, children living in communities affected by terrorism, insurgency and banditry should not be denied access to education because of persistent insecurity.

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‎The group said a regulated home education policy supported by digital learning platforms and community-based learning centres would provide safe alternatives where conventional schooling is temporarily unsafe.

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‎HURIWA also commended the Nigeria Police Force for rescuing the sister of former Minister of Power, Chief Adegoke Adelabu, and her twin children after their abduction.

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‎While acknowledging the success of the operation, the organisation stressed that similar urgency and resources must be deployed in cases involving ordinary Nigerians.

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‎”Security and justice must never be determined by social standing, political connections or economic privilege. Every Nigerian life carries equal value under the Constitution,” Onwubiko said.

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‎The organisation demanded the immediate rescue of the Askira-Uba schoolchildren, comprehensive protection for schools nationwide, full implementation of the Safe Schools Initiative, incorporation of home education into national policy and regular public briefings on rescue efforts.

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‎”Nigeria cannot claim victory against terrorism while schoolchildren continue to be abducted from classrooms. The safety of our children is non-negotiable and the time for decisive action is now,” the statement added