In Borno, Parents Pray for 78 Students Kidnapped by Boko Haram

The families of 78 students kidnapped by the Boko Haram terrorist organization in the Askira-Uba local government area of Nigeria's Borno State are hoping for divine intervention for the safe return of their children. While the fate of the children held captive for weeks remains uncertain, the families have placed their hopes in Allah in despair. It is reported that among the kidnapped children are 42 students from Mussa Primary and Secondary School and 36 students from Lassa Government Day High School. These students were forcibly taken from the area during separate attacks carried out by terrorists in the Askira-Uba region. The deep pain and anxiety experienced by the families reveal the extent of the security crisis in the region.

Desperate parents have begun to resort to spiritual means, as official efforts to rescue their children have not yet yielded the desired results. Many parents are intensely praying in churches, mosques, and family gatherings, virtually petitioning for the protection of the victims and their safe return home. These spiritual rituals also allow families to come together, share their common pain, and support one another. Parents state that their faith is their greatest source of strength during this difficult process and that they are waiting for positive news without losing any hope. These mass worship and prayer calls have also been supported by religious leaders in the region, spreading to the masses.

Families express that their children being held captive for a long time is an extremely traumatic experience for them. Parents emphasize that they live with constant fear and uncertainty of not knowing what has happened to their children, and that each passing day becomes a new form of torture for them. This psychological devastation deeply affects not only the directly victimized families but also other parents in the region. Mothers and fathers are trying to make their voices heard by demanding an immediate and effective rescue operation from the security forces. They argue that the federal government, the army, and other security units must increase their efforts to reunite the children with their families as soon as possible.

This tragic event has significantly increased the level of anxiety in Askira-Uba and surrounding settlements. Residents express serious concerns about the safety of children amid continuous attacks on schools and in parts of Borno State affected by the insurgency. The targeting of educational institutions indicates that not only individual families but also the generation that is the future of society is under threat. This situation triggers fears that the education system in the region has reached the point of collapse and that children are being deprived of their basic right to education. In this context, authorities taking permanent and sustainable security measures has gained great urgency in line with the demands of the local population.

Following the incident, families have called on religious leaders and all Nigerians to continue praying for the victims. The community at large agrees that faith is the greatest source of strength to overcome this dark period and has not given up on expecting a positive development. However, in addition to such spiritual efforts, the international community must also draw attention to the security vulnerability in the region. Such brutal acts carried out by Boko Haram for years should be considered a global human rights violation rather than just a regional issue. It is deemed essential for the Nigerian government to conduct a more decisive fight against the terrorist organization in collaboration with regional and international partners to prevent such tragedies from recurring.