Reported by Weng Patrick Atokor l Journalist at Weng Global
The Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Borno State chapter, has called on the Federal Government, Borno State Government and security agencies to intensify efforts to rescue 78 schoolchildren who have remained in captivity for more than 100 days.
The appeal was made by the Borno CAN Chairman, Most Reverend John Bakeni, during a prayer session in Maiduguri on Sunday, September 27, 2026, as the association marked its 50th anniversary.
Bakeni said the prolonged captivity of the children and continuing insecurity in parts of Borno had made the anniversary a solemn occasion for the Christian community.
According to reports from P.M. News and Punch, the CAN chairman said the association had been engaging government and security authorities through advocacy while continuing to pray for the safe return of those held captive.
CAN Calls for Immediate Government Action
Bakeni urged authorities at both federal and state levels, as well as security agencies, to do everything possible to secure the release of the abducted children.
He said the children had already spent more than 100 days in captivity, stressing the emotional burden placed on their parents and families by the prolonged uncertainty.
The CAN chairman also appealed for greater urgency in efforts to locate and rescue other people being held captive across Borno.
The association’s latest appeal comes amid continuing concerns over the security situation in the state, where communities in parts of the northeast have faced attacks and abductions linked to insurgency.
CAN’s position, as reported from the Maiduguri prayer session, is that the release of the children should remain a priority for government and security authorities.
How the 78 Schoolchildren Were Abducted
The 78 children are linked to two separate attacks on schools in Askira/Uba Local Government Area of Borno State.
On May 16, 2026, 42 pupils and students were reportedly abducted after suspected Boko Haram insurgents attacked Mussa Primary and Junior Secondary School in Mussa.
A second incident occurred on June 29 at Government Day Secondary School in Lassa, also in Askira/Uba Local Government Area.
Reports indicate that 36 students and a teacher were taken during that attack.
The two incidents account for the reported 78 schoolchildren who remain missing.
The attacks have generated repeated calls for government and security agencies to secure the children’s release.
The continued captivity has also raised wider concerns about the safety of children attending schools in communities affected by insecurity.
Families Continue to Wait
For the families of the abducted children, the passage of more than 100 days has prolonged an already difficult period of uncertainty.
Earlier reports indicated that parents and community representatives had appealed directly to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Borno State Governor Babagana Umara Zulum to intensify efforts to secure the children’s release.
Families of the victims have expressed concern about the absence of a confirmed return of their children and the psychological burden created by the prolonged captivity.
The situation has also drawn attention from humanitarian organisations.
UNICEF Raises Concern Over the Abductions
The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) previously called on the Federal and Borno State governments to intensify efforts to secure the release of the 78 children.
UNICEF Nigeria Deputy Representative Dr Rownak Khan made the appeal during a media briefing in Maiduguri in August to mark the 2026 World Humanitarian Day.
Khan said UNICEF was concerned about child abductions in Borno and across Nigeria, stressing that schools should be safe places where children can learn and develop.
UNICEF also said it was working with the Borno State Government on safe-school protocols and indicated that it would provide psychosocial support, nutrition and health assistance to the children when they are released.
The humanitarian organisation’s intervention highlights that the issue extends beyond the immediate security operation. Any eventual release would also require support for the children and their families as they deal with the effects of prolonged captivity.
Borno’s Continuing Security Challenge
Borno remains at the centre of Nigeria’s long-running struggle with Boko Haram and other insurgent groups operating in the northeast.
The abduction of children from schools is particularly significant because it affects both education and community confidence in the safety of schools.
The two attacks in Mussa and Lassa have therefore raised concerns beyond the individual families involved.
When children cannot safely attend school, families may become reluctant to send them to classrooms, while communities already affected by insecurity can face further disruption to education and social development.
UNICEF’s call for the children’s release has similarly placed the issue within the wider responsibility of ensuring that Nigerian children can access education in a safe environment.
CAN’s Appeal Comes After Earlier Calls for Rescue
The latest CAN appeal is not the first demand for urgent action over the children’s continued captivity.
In August, UNICEF called for intensified efforts to secure their release. Senator Mohammed Ali Ndume also urged the military to strengthen search and rescue efforts for abducted schoolchildren and other residents in southern Borno.
Borno CAN itself had earlier organised a three-day fasting and prayer programme in August for the safe return of the abducted children and other victims of kidnapping in the state.
The programme was announced under the leadership of Bakeni and included prayers for victims abducted in Mussa, Lassa, Ngoshe, Gwoza and along the Biu-Buratai Road.
The association’s renewed appeal demonstrates that the fate of the children remains a continuing concern for religious leaders and communities in Borno.
Why the Abductions Matter
The prolonged captivity of the schoolchildren has implications for security, education and the welfare of affected families.
At the most immediate level, the central concern is the safe return of the children.
The situation also underscores the risks faced by schools in communities affected by insurgency. Protecting educational institutions is important not only for preventing abductions but also for maintaining access to education for children living in conflict-affected areas.
The humanitarian consequences are also significant. Children who experience prolonged captivity may require medical care, psychosocial support and assistance with returning to school and family life after their release.
UNICEF has said it is prepared to support such reintegration efforts once the children are freed.
What Happens Next
The immediate focus remains on efforts to locate and secure the release of the 78 schoolchildren.
CAN has called on the Federal Government, Borno State Government and security agencies to intensify those efforts.
There is also a continuing need for authorities to provide families with reliable information about rescue operations while avoiding the release of sensitive operational details that could compromise security efforts.
For the affected families, however, the central demand remains unchanged: the safe return of their children.
As the children remain missing, humanitarian organisations, religious leaders and affected communities continue to press authorities for action.
The latest CAN appeal adds to the growing calls for the government and security agencies to resolve the situation and bring the abducted schoolchildren back to their families.
Weng Global – Stories beyond borders
Sources
- P.M. News — report on CAN’s September 27, 2026 appeal for the rescue of the 78 schoolchildren.
- Punch Newspapers — report on CAN’s call for the rescue of the abducted children and other captives.
- Punch Newspapers — report on UNICEF’s call for intensified efforts to secure the children’s release.
- The Guardian Nigeria — report on the United Nations and UNICEF’s concerns over the Borno schoolchildren.
- BusinessDay — report on appeals by families of the abducted children.
