Amnesty International Nigeria has issued a strong appeal to the Nigerian government, urging it to intensify efforts to secure the safe return of 42 schoolchildren abducted in the Askira Uba Local Government Area of Borno State. The children were taken by armed assailants on May 15, 2026, and it has now been 144 days since their abduction.

In a post shared on X, the organization emphasized the urgency of the situation, indicating that the ongoing insecurity in northern Nigeria is part of a broader trend of abductions that has left many communities in distress. They highlighted that the continued violence is jeopardizing the education and future of countless children.

Amnesty International stated, "No child should go through what children are going through now in Nigeria. Education should not be a matter of life and death for anyone. Nigeria is failing children once again in a horrifying manner." This statement underscores the dire circumstances faced by children in regions plagued by insecurity.

The organization also raised alarms over the closure of hundreds of schools in northern states, attributing this to the escalating violence. Many children have been forced to abandon their education following violent attacks or prolonged periods in captivity, resulting in significant psychological trauma. Amnesty warned that the future of thousands of schoolchildren in Northern Nigeria remains uncertain as educational institutions continue to remain shuttered indefinitely.

In light of these ongoing challenges, Amnesty International is calling for the government to adopt more robust measures aimed at ensuring the safe rescue of all children who are still being held captive. They also urged authorities to take decisive action against those responsible for the abductions, emphasizing the need for accountability in order to restore safety and security in the region.

The plight of these schoolchildren reflects a troubling reality in Nigeria, where the safety of young learners is increasingly compromised. As the nation grapples with the implications of these abductions, the call for urgent government intervention grows louder, echoing the sentiments of concerned organizations and citizens alike.