Falz, Activists Threaten Nationwide Protest Over Abduction Of 81 Schoolchildren In Oyo, Borno

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Nigerian rapper and activist Falz, alongside several civil society organisations and advocacy groups, has threatened to organise nationwide protests over the continued abduction of schoolchildren in parts of the country.

The warning was contained in a joint statement released on Thursday to commemorate the 2026 Children’s Day celebration. The activists accused the Federal Government of failing to decisively address the growing cases of school kidnappings across Nigeria.

According to the statement, no fewer than 81 schoolchildren are still being held captive by kidnappers and insurgents in Oyo and Borno states.

The coalition revealed that 39 pupils and seven teachers were abducted from schools located in Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State. The affected schools include Baptist Nursery and Primary School in Yawota, Community Grammar School in Esinele, and L.A. Primary School in Ahoro-Esinele.

The activists further alleged that one of the abducted teachers, identified as Mr Oyedokun Olugbade, was killed by his captors during the incident.

They also disclosed that 42 additional students were kidnapped on May 15, 2026, after suspected Boko Haram insurgents attacked Mussa Primary and Junior Secondary School in Askira-Uba Local Government Area of Borno State.

Falz and the advocacy groups described the situation as disturbing and unacceptable, insisting that the government and security agencies possess the resources and intelligence needed to locate and rescue the victims if properly mobilised.

The statement criticised what the group described as the government’s misplaced priorities, alleging that political activities were receiving more attention than the worsening security crisis affecting schoolchildren and communities.

The coalition compared the latest incidents to the 2014 Chibok schoolgirls’ abduction, lamenting that successive administrations have failed to permanently end mass kidnappings in schools.

They called on Nigerians, labour unions, youth groups, and civil society organisations to prepare for peaceful nationwide demonstrations if urgent action is not taken to rescue all abducted victims and strengthen security across the country.

Among the signatories to the statement were Hassan Soweto of the #EndBadGovernanceMovement, Mike Igaga of the Moses Oisakede Leadership Foundation, Yusha’u Sani Yankuzo of the Nigeria Patriotic Front Movement, Rufus Olusesan of PERESSA, alongside several other activists and advocacy representatives.