— ACTIVISTS, FALZ, SOWETO, DANIEL AKANDE, OTHERS DEMAND ACTION OVER ABDUCTED SCHOOL CHILDREN
Abuja, Nigeria – Thursday, May 28, 2026
A coalition of Nigerian activists, labour leaders, civil society campaigners, and public figures including popular rapper and activist Folarin Falana, popularly known as Falz, have issued a strongly worded statement demanding urgent action from President Bola Ahmed Tinubu over the continued captivity of abducted Nigerian school children.
The statement, released on Thursday following the 2026 Children’s Day celebration, accused the Federal Government of failing to protect vulnerable children and communities amid worsening insecurity across the country.
Among the notable signatories to the statement are Falz, renowned socialist activist Hassan Taiwo Soweto, and Abuja-based human rights activist and journalist Daniel Akande, alongside several labour and civil society leaders.
According to the statement, no fewer than 81 Nigerian school children are currently in captivity after separate abductions in Oyo and Borno States.
The coalition highlighted the recent abduction of 39 primary and secondary school pupils alongside seven teachers from Baptist Nursery and Primary School, Yawota, Community Grammar School, Esinele, and L.A. Primary School, Ahoro-Esinele in Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State.
The statement also referenced another incident in Borno State, where 42 children were reportedly abducted by suspected Boko Haram insurgents during an attack on Mussa Primary and Junior Secondary School in Askira-Uba Local Government Area on May 15, 2026.
The signatories condemned what they described as the government’s “business as usual” approach following the incidents, arguing that authorities have failed to deploy adequate intelligence and security resources to rescue the victims.
“It is only right on the occasion of this year’s Children’s Day celebration that we ask President Bola Ahmed Tinubu: Where are our abducted children? Why have they not been found?” the statement read.
The coalition further questioned why the Nigerian government allegedly possesses sophisticated surveillance capabilities against activists and protesters but has failed to effectively utilize similar mechanisms to secure the release of abducted children.
Drawing comparisons with the 2014 Chibok girls’ abduction under former President Goodluck Jonathan, the statement described the current administration as “clueless” in confronting the escalating insecurity crisis.
The activists also criticized political leaders for allegedly prioritizing party activities and political primaries while children remain in captivity.
“While elections are undeniably important, the safety and welfare of Nigerians are more important. A government unable to guarantee this is a failed government,” the statement declared.
