ABUJA — The National President of the Guild of Online Media Editors and Publishers of Nigeria (GOMEP-NG), Comr. Akpovoke Otiti, has raised fresh alarm over the prolonged silence surrounding the alleged abduction of schoolchildren in Lassa, Borno State, warning that Nigeria must not continue with national celebrations while innocent children remain in captivity.
Otiti described the situation as “quite unfortunate and deeply sad,” expressing concern that the country proceeded with its Independence Day celebrations while families were still awaiting credible information about children allegedly abducted on May 15, 2026.
According to him, about 78 schoolchildren were reportedly taken into captivity, with some families allegedly having two or three of their children among those still missing.
He noted that the children had reportedly spent about 143 days in captivity, with reports indicating that some of the victims are as young as one year and seven months.
Otiti described the prolonged captivity as an urgent national concern, stressing that the physical and psychological wellbeing of the children could not be ignored.
“If this doesn’t break you, I don’t know what else will,” he said, describing the situation as unacceptable in a country that claims to prioritise the protection of its citizens, particularly children.
The GOMEP-NG President further alleged that the Lassa abduction occurred on the same day schoolchildren were kidnapped in Oyo State, but expressed concern that the plight of the Lassa victims had not received comparable public attention.
He said parents whose children are allegedly still in captivity deserve regular, credible and transparent information from the government and security authorities about efforts being made to secure their release.
“Parents whose children are in captivity have not gotten any meaningful response or information about what is being done. These are innocent children who went to school to learn and have now spent months in the bush in the hands of terrorists,” Otiti said.
He expressed particular concern over the age of some of the alleged victims, stressing that the possibility of very young children spending months in harsh conditions should trouble the conscience of every Nigerian.
According to him, nobody can confidently determine the children’s current medical condition or the extent of the psychological trauma they may be experiencing after such a prolonged period in captivity.
Otiti also expressed concern about the emotional and psychological state of the affected parents, particularly families who allegedly have multiple children in captivity at the same time.
“How do parents cope when two or three of their children are taken away and they receive no clear information about their safety? What is happening to these children medically and psychologically after spending months with terrorists in the bush?” he asked.
The GOMEP-NG President appealed to the Federal Government, Borno State Government and security agencies to urgently provide credible information about the children and intensify efforts to secure their safe release.
He also cautioned political leaders against allowing political activities to overshadow the responsibility of protecting citizens and rescuing children in captivity.
“It is not enough to campaign, make political statements or celebrate national occasions. The lives and safety of these children must remain a priority,” he said.
Otiti urged the government to communicate transparently with the affected families and the Nigerian public, warning that continued silence would only deepen the anxiety, fear and trauma being experienced by the families.
He called for a coordinated national response involving security agencies, relevant government institutions, traditional leaders and credible community stakeholders to ensure that the children are located and safely reunited with their families.
“Every day these children remain in captivity is another day of pain for their parents and another wound on the conscience of our nation. Nigeria must not become comfortable with the suffering of its children,” the GOMEP-NG President said.
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