Civil society groups and activists have criticised 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 most basic responsibility.
The condemnation came in a statement issued after the 2026 Children’s Day celebration, where the groups lamented that while the nation celebrated children, dozens of pupils remained in kidnappers’ dens without any visible breakthrough in efforts to rescue them.
According to the statement, 39 pupils and seven teachers abducted from schools in Oyo State are still in captivity, while another 42 children were kidnapped by suspected Boko Haram insurgents during an attack on Mussa Primary and Junior Secondary School in Askira-Uba Local Government Area of Borno State.
The groups also recalled that one of the abducted teachers in Oyo, Mr. Oyedokun Olugbade, was recently killed by the terrorists.
“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.
“Alas, as we marked this year’s celebration, nothing less than 81 Nigerian school children are languishing in captivity,” the statement read.
The activists questioned why the Federal Government had yet to locate and rescue the abducted children despite the country’s security capabilities.
“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?” they asked.
The groups accused both federal and state authorities of responding to the abductions with “platitudinous statements” rather than urgent and decisive action.
According to them, the same security and surveillance tools allegedly used to monitor activists and political developments should also be deployed to rescue abducted Nigerians.
They further compared the current situation to the 2014 Chibok schoolgirls abduction under former President Goodluck Jonathan, accusing the Tinubu administration of showing a similar lack of urgency.
“It is the same nonchalance and lack of concern of the Jonathan years that we see today,” the statement added.
The activists also criticised political leaders for focusing on party primaries and political activities while children remained in captivity.
“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,” the groups stated.
They called on Nigerians, labour unions, youth groups and civil society organisations to organise 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 of the #EndBadGovernanceMovement and allied groups.
