100 Days After Abduction: Borno Families Beg Tinubu, Zulum For Intervention

100 days after, families of 16 travellers abducted along the Biu- Buratai road while heading to Maiduguri on 16 ,April, 2026 have appealed to President Bola Tinubu, Babagana Umara Zulum and security agencies to intensify action towards the safe return of their loved ones.

In their passionate appeal which was obtained by our correspondent on Friday in Maiduguri, the troubled family members noted that it has been one 100 days, their homes have been filled with silence instead of laughter, uncertainty instead of peace, and tears instead of joy.

They added that every sunrise reminds them that fathers, mothers, children and loved ones are still missing, while every sunset ends with the same unanswered question: When will they come home?

One of the victims whose both parents were among the abductees, Lucy Michael, said they are expecting the return of their parents and yet they have not returned.

Lucy said the abduction is something she doesn’t know how to explain to her siblings ,who kept asking her of the whereabouts of their father and mother that were abducted.

” Until now , my siblings cannot believe that our daddy and mummy were abducted. And everyday, they keep asking where is daddy? Where is mummy? I don’t know what to start telling them. What I keep telling them is that daddy and mummy will return back. I believe one day they will return,” the troubled Lucy said.

Speaking for the families of the victims, Mr. Hassan Yati said they would have been happier or better if government or any other authority reached out to them since the abduction of the 16 relatives since April,15.

He said even if it is to just assure them that they are doing something about it, but the grave silence from the government and security agencies is what is breaking their hearts.

Yati further said they are troubled because their pain has not ended., adding that they are pleading, not because they enjoy asking, but because they have no other voice except the media.

“We appeal to the media, the conscience of our nation, not to allow this story to fade away. As long as our loved ones remain in captivity, our cry for justice and compassion must continue to be heard.

“‘Sadly, even after the abduction of our relatives, more innocent travellers have reportedly fallen victim to attacks along the same Biu–Buratai road. This is heartbreaking and serves as a painful reminder that the danger persists and that countless families continue to travel in fear.

“‘One hundred days may simply be a number on a calendar, but for us, it represents one hundred days of sleepless nights, broken hearts, unanswered prayers and endless anxiety. While governments often mark their first one hundred days in office by counting achievements, we are counting one hundred days of separation from the people we love most,”‘Mr Yati said.

He noted that since their last press briefing on 13th June, 2026, they acknowledge and sincerely appreciate the efforts of the security agencies and the government in working tirelessly to rescue victims of abduction across the country, saying that they remain grateful for their commitment.

Yati said they also wish to inform the public that they have received proof of life from their loved ones through voice notes and photographs, noting that while no one living in captivity can truly be described as safe or well, they thank Almighty God that they are still alive.

“That alone keeps hope alive in our hearts. The recent rescue of the abducted school teachers and pupils in Oyo State, as well as ongoing efforts to secure the release of the abducted students from Lassa in Askira/Uba Local Government Area, have strengthened our faith that rescue is possible.

“Their stories remind us that hope still exists, and we pray that our own loved ones will soon experience the same miracle. It is for this reason that we humbly appeal to His Excellency, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR; the Executive Governor of Borno State, Professor Babagana Umara Zulum; and the Deputy Governor, Alhaji Umar Usman Kadafur, not to allow the plight of the Biu–Buratai travellers to be forgotten.

“We respectfully plead that every possible effort be made to secure their safe and unconditional release.

“Our appeal is simple. These are not just names on a missing persons list. They are fathers, mothers, daughters, sons, brothers, sisters and children. They are people whose families continue to wait every single day with hope that one phone call, one rescue operation or one piece of good news will finally bring this painful chapter to an end,” he further said.