The Borno State chapter of the Christian Association of Nigeria has urged the authorities to step up efforts to free 78 schoolchildren who have reportedly spent more than three months in the hands of suspected Boko Haram terrorists.
The appeal was made by the state CAN Chairman, John Bakeni, on Sunday at a prayer gathering in Maiduguri organised to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the Christian body.
Bakeni said the security situation in Borno had dampened the mood of the anniversary, noting that the prolonged captivity of the children remained a source of concern to their families and the wider community.
He said CAN had consistently used its advocacy activities to draw government and security agencies’ attention to residents who were being held captive.
According to him, the affected families had endured considerable emotional distress since the abductions, with the children spending more than 100 days away from their homes.
The CAN chairman appealed to the Federal Government, the Borno State Government, security agencies and other relevant stakeholders to strengthen ongoing efforts aimed at securing the victims’ release.
He further said CAN would continue to pray for an end to insecurity in the state and the safe return of those still being held, despite the difficulties caused by the insurgency.
The 78 children were taken in two separate attacks in Askira-Uba Local Government Area.
The first incident occurred on May 16 when 42 pupils were abducted from Mussa Primary and Junior Secondary School, while 36 students and a teacher were reportedly taken from Government Day Secondary School, Lassa, on June 29.
