Civil society organisations and activists have condemned the Federal Government over the continued captivity of 81 Nigerian schoolchildren abducted by terrorists, declaring that any government unable to protect children has failed in its fundamental responsibility to citizens.
The groups made their position known in a statement released after the 2026 Children’s Day celebration, lamenting that while Nigeria marked the annual event dedicated to celebrating children and reflecting on their future, dozens of pupils remained in captivity without any visible sign of urgent government intervention.
According to the statement, the continued detention of the children by terrorists reflects the worsening insecurity across the country and what the groups described as the government’s inadequate response to the crisis.
“Yesterday, Wednesday, May 27, 2026, was Children’s Day in Nigeria — an annual holiday to celebrate Nigeria’s children and reflect on government’s efforts to build a thriving future for the new generation,” the statement read.
“Alas, as we marked this year’s celebration, nothing less than 81 Nigerian school children are languishing in captivity.”
The groups disclosed that among those abducted were 39 primary and secondary school pupils, alongside seven teachers, who were kidnapped during an attack on schools in Oyo State.
They also alleged that one of the teachers, identified as Mr. Oyedokun Olugbade, was recently killed by the abductors.
The statement further noted that another 42 children were abducted on May 15, 2026, during an attack by suspected Boko Haram insurgents on Mussa Primary and Junior Secondary School in Askira-Uba Local Government Area of Borno State.
The organisations questioned the Federal Government’s handling of the situation and challenged President Bola Tinubu to explain why the abducted children had not yet been rescued.
“It is only right on the occasion of this year’s Children’s Day celebration that we ask President Bola Ahmed Tinubu: Where are our abducted children? Why have they not been found?” the statement added.
The groups accused both federal and state governments of treating the issue with indifference, alleging that authorities had continued with normal political activities while the victims remained in captivity.
“Sadly, since the tragic abduction, Nigeria’s government, both at the Federal and State levels, has mostly carried on with business as usual, occasionally offering platitudinous statements of assurance while doing absolutely nothing to rescue our beloved children,” the statement said.
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The activists argued that Nigerian security agencies possess the technological and operational capacity to locate individuals within the country, questioning why such resources had not been effectively deployed to rescue the abducted pupils.
They also criticised the government’s security response, comparing the situation to the handling of the 2014 Chibok schoolgirls’ abduction under former President Goodluck Jonathan.
“It is the same nonchalance and lack of concern of the Jonathan years that we see today,” the statement alleged.
The groups further condemned political leaders for focusing on party activities and primaries while insecurity continues to affect ordinary Nigerians.
“While elections are undeniably important, the safety of the lives of average Nigerians and their welfare are more important. A government unable to guarantee this is a failed government,” they stated.
The organisations also called on Nigerians, labour unions, youth groups and civil society organisations to embark on peaceful nationwide protests demanding the rescue of all abducted persons and improved security across the country.
Among those who signed the statement were rapper and activist Falz, Hassan Taiwo Soweto, Mike Igaga, Rufus Olusesan, Segun Oladunni, Jonathan Ugbal and other leaders associated with the #EndBadGovernanceMovement and allied civil society groups.