Former Senate Leader Ali Ndume has urged the Nigerian military to intensify operations to locate and rescue schoolchildren abducted by insurgents in southern Borno State.

Ndume made the appeal during a visit to the Theatre Command, North-East Operation Hadin Kai, where he met with the Theatre Commander, Abdulsalam Abubakar.

The senator representing Borno South commended the troops for their sustained operations against insurgents and the improvement in security across the region. He, however, called for greater efforts to secure the release of the abducted students and reunite them with their families.

In May, 42 pupils were abducted from Mussa Primary and Junior Secondary School in Mussa village, Askira/Uba Local Government Area.

The following month, insurgents attacked Government Day Secondary School, Lassa, in Askira/Uba LGA, abducting 36 students and a teacher.

Ndume said his appeal was not intended to indict the military but to convey the concerns of his constituents and the anguish of the affected families.

“We know you are making efforts, but because of the anxiety we all share and the length of time these people have remained away from their families, I have to continue to push for greater effort,” the lawmaker said.

“The people are anxious, and the families are waiting. We appreciate what the military is doing, but we will continue to appeal for greater efforts until our people are reunited with their families.”

The former chairman of the Senate Committee on Army acknowledged the improvement in Borno’s security situation, attributing the gains to the sacrifices of troops and improved coordination among security agencies.

He urged the military to sustain the momentum and intensify operations to locate the remaining abductees.

Responding, Abubakar thanked Ndume for the visit and said the concerns raised over the abducted students had been noted.

The Theatre Commander reaffirmed the commitment of the military and other security agencies to ongoing operations aimed at protecting communities, stabilising affected areas and facilitating the safe return of displaced residents.

Abubakar attributed the progress recorded in the theatre to the support of Waidi Shaibu, Chief of Army Staff (COAS), whom he said had a strong understanding of the operational environment in the North-East.

He said the military would strengthen its presence in vulnerable areas through new formations, additional troop deployments and the strengthening of existing sectors.

As part of efforts to improve security in southern Borno and neighbouring parts of Adamawa State, Abubakar also disclosed that about 1,000 youths from southern Borno, mainly from Gwoza LGA, would be recruited into the military.