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From Timothy Olanrewaju, Maiduguri
Parents of the 42 schoolchildren kidnapped by Boko Haram in a town in Borno are now battling with the trauma of their children’s prolonged stay in the terrorists’ captivity, community members have revealed.
Critical stakeholders from Askira-Uba Local Government Area of Borno where the 42 pupils and students were abducted three weeks ago, made this known at press conference yesterday in Maiduguri
Spokesman of the Askira-Uba Critical Stakeholders and Deputy Speaker of Borno State House of Assembly, Hon Abdullahi Askira said the initial patience of the parents of the abducted school children at Mussa town, is now overshadowed by deep anxiety and worry.
“They have been patient, believing that the government and the security agencies are doing their best to secure the release of the 42 children. Their patience is, however, being eclipsed by deep anxiety and worry,” he disclosed.
He said parents with two or more children in the abductors’ camp appeared more traumatized over the fate of their children.
“We are in touch with the parents and constantly pleading for their understanding,” he disclosed.
The community members urged the military to put in robust security presence at Askira Uba Local Government to halt the growing terrorist attacks in the area.
Gunmen sSuspected to be members of Boko Haram stormed a primary and junior secondary school at Mussa, a remote community in the southern part of Borno located near Sambisa, a known enclave of terrorists on May 15.
The terrorists, who came on motorcycles and a vehicle, abducted dozens of students. A head count and checks by the school authority hours later revealed that 42 schoolchildren were missing.
