107 Days and Counting, Borno Children, 600 Niger Victims and NYSC Corpers Remain in Captivity as Tinubu Travels to Europe

President Bola Tinubu is in Europe on a three-week vacation while children, students, teachers and worshippers remain in captivity across Nigeria, with some abductions stretching beyond 100 days and others occurring in the past week.

The President left Abuja on Sunday for his 52nd foreign trip since assuming office, just as families in Borno mark 107 days of waiting for their children taken from Mussa Primary and Junior Secondary School in Askira-Uba Local Government Area. The attackers stormed the school on May 15, 2026, and took 42 pupils, some as young as two years old. On June 29, the same terrorists struck again, abducting 36 students and one teacher from Government Day Secondary School, Lassa, during NECO examinations. Parents of the children, including baby Saratu, three-year-old Rejoice, and five-year-old Hezekiah, have waited 107 days for their children to come home. They have held press conferences, appealed to the President and Governor Babagana Zulum, and protested in the streets. They have heard no news.

On August 21, gunmen in military-style clothing launched coordinated raids across villages in Borgu Local Government Area of Niger State. They attacked Dekara, Kpenya, Gidan-Zana and Sabon Gida, targeting worshippers during Friday prayers. Local reports indicate as many as 600 people, mostly women, children and the elderly, may have been taken. About 30 people were killed. Peter Obi has called on the Federal Government to treat the incident as an emergency. The President issued a statement from Abuja ordering security agencies to launch a rescue operation. The victims are still missing.

READ MORE: Tinubu Has Spent 261 Days Abroad, 52 Trips, N37.6bn—Enough to Build Roads, Hospitals and Schools Across Nigeria

On August 26, gunmen attacked two buses carrying National Youth Service Corps members along the Aloma-Egane Expressway in Ofu Local Government Area of Kogi State. The corps members had just completed their orientation camp in Bayelsa State and were travelling to Abuja. Kidnappers have demanded N20 million ransom for each victim. The driver of one of the buses was killed. Eleven of the 15 have been rescued, but four remain in captivity.

Plateau and Kaduna states have also experienced attacks. Residents have been killed and many more wounded. The killings have continued for days.

The President is abroad while children are in captivity, corps members are being held for ransom and families are burying their dead. He has spent 261 days outside Nigeria in 52 trips since May 2023. He is expected to return to join campaign activities ahead of the 2027 elections. The families of the abducted Borno children have already waited 107 days. They are still waiting.

About The Author

West Africa Weekly

author

See author's posts