Over 500 kidnapped victims still in northern forests while government celebrates Oyo rescue

While the nation was celebrating the rescue of abducted pupils and teachers from Oyo State on July 10, over 500 kidnapped victims remain in captivity across forests in Borno, Kwara, Kaduna and Zamfara States. Some of these victims have been held for more than five months, including 176 women and children abducted from Woro community in Kaiama Local Government Area of Kwara State on February 4, 2026. The contrast in response is impossible to ignore.

On May 15, suspected Boko Haram insurgents kidnapped 42 pupils from Mussa Primary and Junior Secondary School in Askira/Uba Local Government Area of Borno State. Those children have now spent two months and five days in captivity, while their counterparts from Oyo were rescued within two months. The Arewa Consultative Forum spokesperson, Prof. Tukur Mohammed-Baba, urged the government to apply the same tactics used for the Oyo rescue to secure the release of northern victims. Middle-Belt Forum President Pogu Bitrus echoed this call.

On July 14, youths and students from tertiary institutions in Borno State protested, with leader Suleiman Muhammed demanding intensified rescue efforts. The question remains: why does a coordinated response exist for some citizens but not others when the same government controls security forces across all states?