‘Now Rescue Borno Victims Too’ — Ndume Urges Military After Oyo Schoolchildren Regain Freedom

Borno South Senator Ali Ndume has called on the Nigerian military to intensify rescue efforts in Borno State following the successful release of schoolchildren and teachers abducted in Oyo State.

Speaking on Channels Television’s Politics Today on Friday, the lawmaker said the military should now focus its attention on communities in his senatorial district, where dozens of residents remain in the custody of kidnappers and insurgents.

His appeal comes days after the rescue of the Oyo schoolchildren and teachers, who regained their freedom on Tuesday after spending more than 50 days in captivity.

The victims were abducted on May 15, 2026. During their captivity, one of the teachers was beheaded, raising fears over the safety of the remaining hostages before their eventual rescue.

Reacting to the development, Ndume said many people in Borno South are still being held captive and urged security agencies not to overlook their plight.

“I want to use this opportunity to appeal to the military to shift their attention now to my senatorial district and help us get these people back.

“Our people, our children in my senatorial district are under captivity. Forty-two of them. We have over 30 people from Lassa that were captured recently.

“We still have a leftover of over 50 people in another place. They released some out of the 400, and we still have some people in captivity that were kidnapped.”

The senator stressed that while the rescue operation in Oyo State is commendable, similar efforts should be extended to Borno communities where many families are still waiting for their loved ones to return home.