The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), has called on the Borno state and Federal Governments to intensify their efforts to rescue
78 schoolchildren abducted in Mussa and Lassa communities in Askira/Uba Local Government Area of the state.

UNICEF’s Deputy Representative in Nigeria, Dr Rownak Khan, made the call on Wednesday, while responding to questions during a media briefing with the United Nations Humanitarian Coordinator and other heads of agencies to commemorate the 2026 World Humanitarian Day in Maiduguri.

Khan said UNICEF was concerned about the spate of child abductions in Borno and Nigeria, urging authorities to ensure the safe return of all the abducted children to their parents and guardians.

She described schools as safe places where children should be able to learn and grow in their communities

She said: “We are worried about the abduction of children not only in Borno State, but in Nigeria at large. School should be a safe place for them. They come here to learn and grow themselves.”

Khan said UNICEF had been working with the Borno State Government to ensure that safe-school protocols were implemented.

She added that it is a complex issue which is related to the overall security situation in the country. We are advocating for all the partners involved and joining voices to release those children..

She assured that UNICEF would support the government with psychosocial assistance and other services when the children were released.

“Once we have seen the children released, we will work with the government to reintegrate them, provide psychosocial support and nutrition, health and so on,” she said.

“At the end of the day, they are Nigerian children, so it is the ultimate responsibility of the government of Nigeria to make sure that, first, they are not abducted, and secondly, put all the effort to release those children back to their families,” Khan added.