The House of Representatives on Tuesday called on the Federal Government and security agencies to immediately secure the release of 42 schoolchildren abducted from Mussa Ward in Askira-Uba Local Government Area of Borno State.
The lawmakers also urged the implementation of a comprehensive national framework to strengthen the security of schools across the country.
The resolution followed the adoption of a motion of urgent public importance sponsored by the member representing Askira-Uba/Hawul Federal Constituency, Midala Balami.
Presenting the motion, Balami expressed concern over the abduction and the recurring attacks on schools and communities, warning that the trend poses a serious threat to education and national security.
He stressed that the protection of pupils, students, teachers and school communities remains a fundamental responsibility of government at all levels.
The lawmaker recalled previous mass abductions in Borno State, including the kidnapping of the Chibok schoolgirls in 2014, many of whom remain unaccounted for, as well as attacks on communities such as Ngoshe and along the Biu-Buratai Road.
“The House is concerned that the recurring attacks on schools and communities continue to threaten access to education, endanger lives, traumatise families, disrupt livelihoods and undermine public confidence in the capacity of government to guarantee security,” Balami said.
He noted that persistent insecurity has heightened fear among residents and contributed to declining school enrolment and attendance in vulnerable communities.
According to him, the situation highlights the urgent need for coordinated action to protect schools, restore public confidence and secure the release of abducted persons.
Balami also drew attention to growing public dissatisfaction with government responses to insecurity, stating that many communities are demanding tangible results rather than repeated assurances.
“Communities are increasingly losing confidence in government responses to insecurity and economic hardship and are demanding visible and concrete actions rather than repeated assurances,” he said.
The motion comes amid continued attacks on educational institutions in Nigeria’s North-East and North-West regions, where armed groups have repeatedly targeted students, teachers and schools.
Adopting the motion, the House urged the Federal Government and relevant security agencies to take immediate and decisive action to rescue the 42 abducted schoolchildren and all other persons currently held in captivity.
Lawmakers also called for enhanced security around schools in Borno State and other high-risk areas through increased deployment of security personnel, improved intelligence gathering and effective rapid-response mechanisms.
In addition, the House advocated the expansion of school protection initiatives, including early warning systems, community-based security arrangements, security awareness programmes and improved surveillance infrastructure.
The House mandated its Committees on National Security, Defence, Basic Education and Legislative Compliance to engage relevant security agencies and report back on measures taken to secure the release of abductees and strengthen school security nationwide.
The lawmakers further called on the Federal Government to develop and implement a comprehensive Safe Schools Security Framework aimed at protecting students, teachers and educational institutions from future attacks.
“The safety of our children and the protection of education must remain a national priority. Our children deserve to learn in an environment free from fear, and our citizens deserve the assurance that government will act decisively to protect lives and property. The time for action is now,” Balami said.
