Foundation appeals to FG, UN over abducted Borno children

By Chinedu Anolue

The Ashlee Momoh Foundation has appealed to the Federal Government and international bodies to facilitate the rescue of abducted schoolchildren and toddlers from Lassa and Mussa communities, Askira-Uba Local Government in Borno.

The appeal was made at a rally on Tuesday in Abuja,  as the victims reportedly marked up to 150 days in captivity in the hands of their captors.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that 78 children were reportedly abducted on May 15, at Mussa Primary and Junior Secondary School, and nearby homes in Askira-Uba Local Government Area.

The abductees included nursery school pupils

The foundation’s convener, Mrs Ashlee Momoh, said the rally followed appeals from the affected parents, who had been traumatised by the prolonged captivity of their children.

“The parents reached out to us and they’ve been traumatised. So they needed our help, and that’s why we are here,” she said.

Momoh called on the government and stakeholders to accelerate strategic military action to address the lingering security crisis and facilitate the immediate reunion of the pupils with their families.

“Our thoughts and prayers remain with the parents and loved ones who have been subjected to severe emotional and psychological trauma all this while.

“Prayers must, however, be matched with decisive action. Our gallant military officers are fully capable of neutralizing the abductors and rescuing our children,” she said.

She cited the military’s swift resolution of the Oyo school abduction incident as proof of capacity, stressing that the abducted children deserve free unhindered life like every other Nigerian

Momoh called for the immediate rescue of the children and their reunion with their parents, stressing that they deserved hope and a future.

“For the children to be rescued, to reunite with their parents, to have hope again and to have a future, because education is not a crime,” she said.

She expressed concern over the possible psychological effects of the abduction, calling for rehabilitation after the children’s rescue to help them recover and reintegrate into society.

The rally featured a procession from Unity Fountain through parts of the FCT to the UN office, where participants displayed placards calling for urgent intervention.

At the UN office, concerned citizens appealed to the UN and other international bodies to intervene and support efforts to secure the children’s safe return.

A letter from the affected parents addressed to the UN was received on behalf of the Resident Coordinator by Mr Senu Kufe, Chief Security Adviser of UN Nigeria.

Kufe urged the parents to remain hopeful and assured Momoh that the UN would do its best to look into the situation.

Hon. Faith Joshua, a participant from Plateau State, said she joined the rally because, as a mother, she shared in the pains of the affected families.

“My message to the government and other relevant people is that I’m seriously in pain. We’re praying and begging; we’re not protesting,” Joshua said.

She acknowledged security agencies’ efforts but urged them to intensify operations, while appealing to other countries to intervene and support efforts to secure the children’s release. (NAN)

Edited by Isaac Aregbesola