The Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Borno State chapter, has called for the urgent rescue of 78 schoolchildren and others who have spent more than 100 days in captivity across the state. The state chairman, Most Reverend John Bakeni, made the appeal during a prayer session in Maiduguri organised to mark CAN’s 50th anniversary.

Bakeni described the celebration in Borno as a “sober” one because of the insecurity affecting residents. He said many families were dealing with the pain of having relatives in captivity while communities continued to face attacks and economic hardship. He assured members that the association would continue praying for peace and using advocacy to draw the attention of authorities to the plight of the victims.

The CAN chairman urged the Federal and Borno State governments, security agencies and other authorities involved in the rescue effort to intensify action to secure the release of those in captivity. He said the children had been in captivity for more than 100 days and expressed concern about the pain and trauma their families were experiencing.

The 78 children were abducted in two separate incidents in Askira/Uba Local Government Area. On May 16, suspected Boko Haram terrorists reportedly attacked Mussa Primary and Junior Secondary School, abducting 42 students and pupils. On June 29, attackers reportedly invaded Government Day Secondary School, Lassa, abducting 36 students and one teacher, bringing the number of missing children to 78.