Calls Grow for Equal Treatment as Abducted Borno Pupils Remain Missing

By Tada Jutha, Maiduguri

Concern is mounting in Borno State following what residents and civil society groups describe as a slow and inadequate federal response to the abduction of dozens of schoolchildren in Askira/Uba Local Government Area.

Community leaders, activists and political stakeholders have expressed frustration over the government’s handling of the incident, arguing that the kidnapping of pupils in the Northeast has not attracted the same level of attention and urgency seen in similar cases elsewhere in the country.

The controversy follows the abduction of dozens of primary and junior secondary school pupils from the Mussa community in Askira/Uba, allegedly by insurgents. Residents say families of the victims have been left anxious as they await concrete information on rescue efforts.

Speaking in Maiduguri on Monday, Chairman of the Borno State Civil Society Organisations, Abubakar Suleiman, criticised what he described as unequal treatment of victims of mass abductions across different parts of Nigeria.

According to him, while a recent kidnapping incident involving pupils and teachers in Oyo State attracted the immediate attention of top federal officials, communities in Borno affected by similar tragedies have not witnessed a comparable intervention.

Suleiman noted that several abduction incidents have occurred in parts of Borno in recent weeks, yet families and local communities have received little direct engagement from federal authorities.

He urged the government to intensify rescue operations and maintain regular communication with affected families.

“The parents deserve reassurance that everything possible is being done to secure the release of their children. They also deserve timely information about ongoing efforts,” he said.

A political analyst based in Borno, Abubakar Kareto, also expressed concern over what he described as disparities in official responses to security emergencies.

He observed that the attacks in Oyo and Askira/Uba reportedly occurred within the same period but generated markedly different levels of federal attention.

Kareto argued that every mass abduction, regardless of location, should receive the same level of urgency and deployment of security resources.

According to him, any perception of unequal treatment risks deepening feelings of neglect among communities already facing the challenges of insurgency and insecurity.

He called on President Bola Tinubu and security agencies to intensify intelligence gathering and military operations aimed at rescuing the abducted children and restoring public confidence.

“The safety of every Nigerian child must be treated as a national priority. Victims in the Northeast deserve the same commitment and urgency accorded to victims anywhere else in the country,” he said.

Also weighing in, President of the Borno South Youths Alliance Forum, Samaila Kaigama, appealed to political leaders and elected representatives from the state to become more vocal in advocating for affected communities.

He urged stakeholders to unite in pressing for stronger federal intervention, emphasising that the plight of abducted children should transcend political and regional considerations.

The incident has renewed concerns about the vulnerability of schools in rural communities, particularly in areas affected by insurgency. Security experts have repeatedly warned that educational institutions remain attractive targets for armed groups operating in parts of the Northeast.

As families continue to wait for positive news, residents say they expect both federal and state authorities to demonstrate greater commitment to securing the release of all those still in captivity and preventing future attacks on schools.

Nigeria’s Security Depends on Empowering Youths — Gen. Buratai

By Auwal Ahmad Umar

Former Chief of Army Staff Lt-Gen. Tukur Yusufu Buratai (rtd), has warned that Nigeria’s security and future stability may remain under threat unless the country deliberately invests in and empowers its youthful population.

the Gen. Buratai stated that at University of Ilorin while delivering a lecture  with titled “The Armed Forces of Nigeria and National Security: The Youth and National Security Aspirations”, Buratai said the intersection between youth development and national security has become critical to Nigeria’s survival amid rising insecurity across different parts of the country.

Quoting former United States Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, the retired military officer said, “A nation’s security is only as strong as its commitment to its young people.”

He noted that insurgency, terrorism, cybercrime, separatist agitation, banditry, and organised criminal activities continue to challenge Nigeria’s unity and development, stressing that the country’s youthful population remains both its greatest strength and potential vulnerability.

“If neglected, this same demographic could become our greatest vulnerability. How effectively government at all levels and the Armed Forces engage, empower and integrate youths into national security frameworks will determine Nigeria’s trajectory towards stability or turmoil,” Buratai said.

The former army chief explained that the Armed Forces of Nigeria have evolved from a small colonial constabulary established in 1863 into a major institution responsible for defending the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Africa’s most populous nation.

According to him, the changing nature of security threats now requires a broader understanding of national security beyond military operations alone.

“Today, national security extends beyond merely defending territorial borders.” Cybersecurity, economic stability, climate risks, and intelligence coordination have become central to the survival of modern nations,” he stated.

Buratai observed that more than 60 per cent of Nigeria’s population falls within the youth category, making it necessary for government and security institutions to harness their creativity, patriotism, and innovation for national development.

He said frustrated youths often become targets for recruitment by criminal and extremist groups, while empowered youths could serve as defenders of peace, unity, and national stability.

The retired general also reviewed the historical role of the Armed Forces in the Nigerian Civil War, peacekeeping missions across Africa, and ongoing counter-insurgency operations within the country.

He identified Boko Haram and ISWAP insurgency in the North-East, banditry and mass kidnappings in the North-West and North-Central, separatist violence in the South-East, and oil theft in the South-South as major security concerns confronting Nigeria.

Buratai further warned that growing instability across the Sahel region, particularly in Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger, has compounded Nigeria’s security challenges.

Drawing lessons from Colombia and Sri Lanka, he recommended a blend of military action, socio-economic reforms, intelligence-sharing, and community engagement as the most effective strategy for tackling insecurity.

“Military force alone cannot defeat an ideology. Nigeria must combine security operations with development, justice, inclusion, and opportunities for young people,” he said.

The former army chief proposed the recruitment of 50,000 youths annually into the Armed Forces over the next five years, the establishment of state intelligence centers for information sharing, and the introduction of civic security training for tertiary institution graduates.

He also advocated the creation of a Security Trust Fund to support military equipment procurement, personnel welfare, and youth employment within the security sector.

Buratai urged young Nigerians to see military service as a patriotic and noble responsibility.

“The country needs your brains, your strength and your courage. Nigeria’s security is a national project that requires the participation of every citizen, especially the youth,” he added.

MDIF CEO Raises Concern Over Mental Strain on Aid Workers

By Auwal Ahmad

The Chief Executive Officer of the Migration and Development Impact Foundation (MDIF), Margaret Ngozi Ukegbu, has expressed concern over the growing emotional and psychological pressure faced by humanitarian and non-governmental organisation (NGO) workers in Nigeria and called for stronger support systems to protect their mental well-being.

Ukegbu spoke during a training program organised for NGOs and civil society workers from Gombe, Bauchi, and Plateau States., in Jos on Wednesday, where participants received training in mental health awareness, financial resilience, employability, emotional intelligence, and workplace balance.

She said many aid workers spend years supporting vulnerable communities while neglecting their own emotional, psychological, and financial health.

“We are not asking people to leave their jobs or do anything dishonest. We aim to empower people to grow personally while remaining committed to their work,” she said.

According to her, humanitarian workers handling issues such as migration, child protection, climate change, mental health, and humanitarian crises often operate under intense pressure without adequate psychosocial support.

“These workers carry other people’s pain every day, yet many of them have no psychosocial support system. Some become overwhelmed to the point that it affects their family life, finances, and emotional stability,” she said.

Ukegbu explained that the training was designed to provide practical knowledge that would help participants improve their financial discipline, emotional wellbeing, and overall productivity.

She noted that MDIF, a Lagos-based organisation operating in the South-West and South-East, plans to expand its interventions to the North-Central and North-East regions.

The MDIF’s chief said her experience at the National Commission for Refugees, Migrants, and Internally Displaced Persons partly inspired the initiative.

According to her, officers involved in humanitarian operations were often left without emotional support despite regularly dealing with traumatic situations.

“We used to receive returning migrants from Libya, hear terrible stories, and see their condition, but there was nobody to support the officers emotionally. You had to bottle everything inside,” she recalled.

Ukegbu also said the organisation provides security awareness training for humanitarian workers; she noted that many unknowingly expose themselves to danger while carrying out humanitarian assignments.

On national unity, she urged Nigerians to avoid ethnic and regional divisions and support inclusive development across the country.

“Nigeria is one. If we truly love this country, then we must support one another regardless of region. We cannot isolate people because of insecurity narratives,” she said.

She added that MDIF hopes to extend its programs to states like Borno, Kebbi, and Katsina when resources become available.

Participants at the training described the programme as timely and impactful.

One of the participants, Ibrahim Yusuf, said the sessions improved his understanding of business opportunities, mental health, financial resilience, and employability.

“We always deal with vulnerable communities and forget to take care of our own mental health. This training helped us understand the importance of improving ourselves while strengthening service delivery,” he said.

Another participant, Jibirin Bappa, described the program as one of the most beneficial training sessions he had attended.

“It taught us that as carers and community leaders, we must first take care of ourselves before helping others,” he said.