Parents and families in Nigeria's Borno state protested on August 21, demanding the government secure the release of nearly 100 children abducted on May 15 while they were in school. The protesters, frustrated by ongoing kidnappings despite military operations against Boko Haram and ISWAP militants, have been living with anxiety as their loved ones remain missing. Around 45 children are still unaccounted for, according to traditional leader Orbet Lawan Yakubu. The protest follows the release of some schoolchildren in another state last month.
Written by the local model on 2026-08-21,
using this article's own text rather than the other coverage of the
same event (that is the story summary below).
Story summary
On August 21, parents of 19 children who were kidnapped on May 15 in Mussa, a community near the Sambisa Forest in Nigeria's Borno state, protested in Uba town to demand their release. The children were taken from their classrooms as part of ongoing kidnappings by Islamist militants, including Boko Haram and its ISWAP offshoot, despite years of military operations against them. This protest highlights the growing frustration among families whose loved ones have been abducted, with some children still in captivity after nearly 100 days. The situation is particularly dire in northeastern Nigeria, where both groups continue to launch attacks on civilians, schools, and security forces. Just last month, authorities managed to secure the release of schoolchildren from a different state, but so far, there has been no similar success for the families in Borno.
Written for “Boko Haram Kidnappings Protests” on 2026-08-31,
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Leaning score -0.35 for article 1814 (high confidence, 1 verified quote) · logged 2026-08-31
Families protest in Nigeria over children abducted nearly 100 days ago
MAIDUGURI, Aug 21 -
asserted
Families → protest → children
Parents of children abducted from Nigeria's northeastern Borno state protested in Uba town on Thursday, demanding the federal government secure their release nearly 100 days after they were taken.
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they → abduct → release
The children were seized from their classrooms on May 15 in Mussa, a community on the fringes of the Sambisa Forest, a long-time stronghold of Islamist militants.
uncertain
children → seize → militants
The protest underscored families' frustration as kidnappings persist despite years of military operations against Boko Haram and its Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) offshoot in northeastern Nigeria.
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kidnappings → underscore → Nigeria
While the insurgency has weakened since its peak, both groups continue to stage attacks on civilians, schools and security forces across Borno and neighbouring states.
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groups → weaken → Borno
The abduction was followed by another attack in nearby Lassa on June 29, where 36 students and a teacher also remain captive.
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students → follow → June
Last month, authorities secured the release of schoolchildren abducted by gunmen from schools in southwest Oyo state after nearly two months in captivity.
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authorities → secure → captivity
'WE WORRY EVERY DAY'
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WE → worry → ?
A police spokesperson said the military is "on top of the situation" but declined further comment, directing enquiries to the military.
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military → say → military
A spokesperson for the military did not respond to requests for comment.
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spokesperson → respond → comment
"We still have not seen them," said Chinda Buba, whose child was among those abducted.
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child → see → those
"We do not know where our children are.
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children → know → ?
We don't know whether they are healthy or going through difficult conditions."
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they → know → conditions
Peace Nicolos, whose two children, aged 3-1/2 and 8-1/2, are among the missing, said families lived in constant anxiety.
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families → say → anxiety
"We worry every day and struggle to eat," she said.
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she → worry → ?
"We are pleading with the government to rescue them."
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We → plead → them
Orbet Lawan Yakubu, representing the traditional ruler of Mussa, said around 45 children remained unaccounted for.
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children → represent → Mussa
"There is nothing more painful than separating very young children from their parents," he said.
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he → be → parents
"The entire community is affected because almost every family is connected to those who were taken."
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who → affect → those
