The Middle-Belt Forum (MBF) has accused the Federal Government of failing to give equal attention to schoolchildren, teachers and other citizens abducted by terrorists in parts of Northern Nigeria, urging authorities to intensify efforts to secure their release.
In a statement issued yesterday by its National Spokesman, Luka Binniyat, the forum acknowledged the successful rescue of schoolchildren and teachers abducted in Oyo State, but argued that victims in communities across Borno and Kaduna states have largely been neglected. “The rescue of the Oyo victims has demonstrated that determined action can produce results. The same commitment must now be extended to every Nigerian still in captivity”, Binniyat said.
The MBF called on the Federal Government to fulfill its constitutional responsibility by intensifying rescue operations for abductees from communities including Mussa, Lassa, Shikarkir, Ariko and Awon, as well as other affected areas across the country.
The Forum also appealed to the Nigerian Union of Teachers (NUT), civil society organisations, religious leaders, development partners and the international community to advocate for the release of all abducted pupils, teachers and civilians, regardless of their location.
According to the statement, on the same day schoolchildren were abducted in Oyo State, terrorists reportedly attacked Government Day Secondary School, Mussa in Borno State, abducting 42 children, including toddlers. The forum alleged that the incident received far less national attention than the Oyo abduction.
The MBF further cited the June 29 attack on Government Day Secondary School, Lassa, where it said 36 students and one staff member were abducted while examinations were in progress, adding that at least one teacher was killed during the attack.
The organisation also referenced earlier attacks in Shikarkir in Chibok LGA of Borno State, and Ariko and Awon communities in Kaduna State, where it said several people were killed or abducted and remain in captivity.
The Forum argued that every Nigerian, irrespective of ethnicity, religion or geographical location, deserves equal protection under the Constitution and equal commitment from government in rescue operations. It also questioned what it described as the disparity between efforts to rescue kidnap victims and government programmes aimed at rehabilitating former insurgents and repentant bandits.
The Federal Government has consistently maintained that security agencies are working to rescue victims of abduction and combat terrorism across the country.
