WHERE ARE OUR CHILDREN?
The Issue
WHERE ARE OUR CHILDREN?
A National Call for Answers on the Schoolchildren Abducted in Borno State. On 15 May 2026, approximately 44 primary school pupils were abducted from Mussa community in Askira/Uba Local Government Area of Borno State. The Federal Government and Borno State Government have stated that security agencies are working to secure their safe return.
On 29 June 2026, students were abducted from Government Day Secondary School in Lassa, Askira/Uba. Borno State authorities have stated that 36 students remain in captivity, while reports have also confirmed that a teacher was among those abducted.
More than four months have now passed since the Mussa abduction, and three months since the Lassa abduction.
As of 28 September 2026, the children of Mussa have been separated from their families for 136 days, while the students abducted from Lassa have been away from their families for 91 days.
Their parents have repeatedly called for urgent action. In September, affected parents and community members protested in Maiduguri and again appealed to the Federal Government to secure the children's return.
We recognise that ongoing security operations may require confidentiality. We are not asking the government to disclose military plans, intelligence sources or any information that could endanger the children or compromise rescue efforts.
WE ARE ASKING FOR ANSWERS.
We respectfully call on the Federal Government, Borno State Government and relevant authorities to:
1. Provide the affected families with a verified update on the status of their children, to the extent that such information can safely be disclosed.
2. Establish clear and regular communication with the affected families so that they receive verified information directly from the responsible authorities.
3. Maintain urgent efforts to secure the children's safe return and reunite them with their families.
4. Ensure that the case remains an active priority and that the families are not left without reliable information for prolonged periods.
WHY WE ARE SIGNING
We are Nigerians standing in solidarity with the parents and families of these children.
We believe that families who have waited for more than four months deserve communication.
We believe that citizens outside Borno can stand with them.
And we believe that asking for information about the welfare and status of Nigerian children is a reasonable civic request.
THIS IS NOT A POLITICAL CAMPAIGN.
This petition is not directed against any political party or individual.
It is not an attempt to interfere with security operations.
It is a peaceful civic request for information, communication and continued urgent action concerning the children.
OUR MESSAGE IS SIMPLE:
We are not asking for military secrets.
We are asking for answers.
Where are our children?
SIGN THIS PETITION
If you believe the affected families deserve a verified update and continued urgent action towards the safe return of their children, please add your name.
Sign. Share. Ask others to stand with the families.
#WhereAreOurChildren
#BringBackBornoChildren
PETITION ORGANISER
Amb. Dr. Ruqayya Ahmed
This petition is organised as a peaceful citizen initiative in solidarity with the affected families.
The organisers do not claim to represent the affected families or speak on their behalf unless expressly authorised to do so.
PRIVACY & SIGNATORY NOTICE
By signing this petition, you voluntarily indicate your support for the requests stated above.
Your information will be handled in accordance with the petition platform's applicable privacy policies and used for purposes connected with administering, verifying and presenting this petition.
Please do not submit sensitive personal information, including your home address, telephone number, identification numbers or information concerning children.
The organisers will not publicly publish signatories' private contact information.
This petition does not guarantee a particular response or outcome from any government institution.
6
The Issue
WHERE ARE OUR CHILDREN?
A National Call for Answers on the Schoolchildren Abducted in Borno State. On 15 May 2026, approximately 44 primary school pupils were abducted from Mussa community in Askira/Uba Local Government Area of Borno State. The Federal Government and Borno State Government have stated that security agencies are working to secure their safe return.
On 29 June 2026, students were abducted from Government Day Secondary School in Lassa, Askira/Uba. Borno State authorities have stated that 36 students remain in captivity, while reports have also confirmed that a teacher was among those abducted.
More than four months have now passed since the Mussa abduction, and three months since the Lassa abduction.
As of 28 September 2026, the children of Mussa have been separated from their families for 136 days, while the students abducted from Lassa have been away from their families for 91 days.
Their parents have repeatedly called for urgent action. In September, affected parents and community members protested in Maiduguri and again appealed to the Federal Government to secure the children's return.
We recognise that ongoing security operations may require confidentiality. We are not asking the government to disclose military plans, intelligence sources or any information that could endanger the children or compromise rescue efforts.
WE ARE ASKING FOR ANSWERS.
We respectfully call on the Federal Government, Borno State Government and relevant authorities to:
1. Provide the affected families with a verified update on the status of their children, to the extent that such information can safely be disclosed.
2. Establish clear and regular communication with the affected families so that they receive verified information directly from the responsible authorities.
3. Maintain urgent efforts to secure the children's safe return and reunite them with their families.
4. Ensure that the case remains an active priority and that the families are not left without reliable information for prolonged periods.
WHY WE ARE SIGNING
We are Nigerians standing in solidarity with the parents and families of these children.
We believe that families who have waited for more than four months deserve communication.
We believe that citizens outside Borno can stand with them.
And we believe that asking for information about the welfare and status of Nigerian children is a reasonable civic request.
THIS IS NOT A POLITICAL CAMPAIGN.
This petition is not directed against any political party or individual.
It is not an attempt to interfere with security operations.
It is a peaceful civic request for information, communication and continued urgent action concerning the children.
OUR MESSAGE IS SIMPLE:
We are not asking for military secrets.
We are asking for answers.
Where are our children?
SIGN THIS PETITION
If you believe the affected families deserve a verified update and continued urgent action towards the safe return of their children, please add your name.
Sign. Share. Ask others to stand with the families.
#WhereAreOurChildren
#BringBackBornoChildren
PETITION ORGANISER
Amb. Dr. Ruqayya Ahmed
This petition is organised as a peaceful citizen initiative in solidarity with the affected families.
The organisers do not claim to represent the affected families or speak on their behalf unless expressly authorised to do so.
PRIVACY & SIGNATORY NOTICE
By signing this petition, you voluntarily indicate your support for the requests stated above.
Your information will be handled in accordance with the petition platform's applicable privacy policies and used for purposes connected with administering, verifying and presenting this petition.
Please do not submit sensitive personal information, including your home address, telephone number, identification numbers or information concerning children.
The organisers will not publicly publish signatories' private contact information.
This petition does not guarantee a particular response or outcome from any government institution.
Petition Updates
Share this petition
Petition created on 28 September 2026