By Omoyeni Ojeifo
The successful rescue of abducted teachers and students in Oyo State on Friday has brought fresh hope to families of children still held by kidnappers in Southern Borno State.
Reacting to the development, Senator Ali Ndume (Borno South) appealed to the military to launch a similar high-stakes operation to bring the remaining northern victims home.
Speaking on Channels TV programme, Politics Today, monitored by Persecondnews, the lawmaker urged the military and allied security agencies to replicate the Oyo strategy in his constituency, where dozens of children, students, and travelers remain in captivity.
According to the senator, about 42 children from Mussa, students abducted in Lassa while writing their NECO examinations, travellers kidnapped along the Biu-Buratai road and dozens of residents of Ngoshe are still being held by kidnappers, leaving their families traumatised.
“I appeal to the military and security agencies to shift full attention to my senatorial district. The parents are traumatised, especially those of the Mussa children, because small children remain in captivity,” Persecondnews quotes Ndume as saying.
Ndume described the recent rescue operation as evidence that the military is improving its response to kidnapping and insurgency, saying the operation should serve as a model for future rescue missions.
“This is the first time we have clearly seen a rescue operation where several captors were killed and others arrested. It shows there is an improved response from our security agencies.”
The senator also disclosed that he had a meeting with President Bola Tinubu, where he spoke openly about the security situation in the North-East and the need for stronger support for security forces.
“I was frank and blunt with the President about the security situation, and he appreciated it. I told him exactly what our people are going through in affected communities.”
According to Ndume, President Tinubu assured him that protecting Nigerians remains a priority, while he stressed that the armed forces require sustained investment in training, equipment, ammunition, motivation and attack helicopters.
“The President told me he would do everything possible to secure Nigerians. I believe the security agencies need continued support with training, equipment, ammunition and motivation.”
Ndume also welcomed the decision to retain Vice President Kashim Shettima as President Tinubu’s running mate for the 2027 presidential election, describing him as a loyal ally who has consistently defended the President and the administration.
“Kashim Shettima has crossed the red line several times for the President. He is very loyal, and that is the kind of Vice President you need. Congratulations to Borno State, the North and Nigeria,” he pointed out.
The lawmaker further commended the military for intensifying operations against insurgents in the North-East, saying recent offensives have led to the elimination of several terrorist commanders and disrupted their activities.
He, however, appealed to security agencies not to relent until every kidnapped victim still being held across Southern Borno regains freedom.
“I want to commend our security agencies for taking the fight to the insurgents. They have recorded several successes. Please bring back our children.”
Persecondnews recalls that on May 15, twin abductions struck opposite sides of the country: gunmen seized teachers and students in Oyo State, while suspected Boko Haram terrorists kidnapped 42 children from Mussa in Borno’s Askira/Uba LGA.
More than 50 days later, the Oyo victims have been rescued, but the Mussa children remain in captivity.
With students from Lassa and other victims from Ngoshe and the Biu-Buratai road still missing, Ndume is urging the military to urgently scale up its rescue operations across Southern Borno.