Civil society organisations and activists have condemned the Federal Government over the continued captivity of 81 abducted Nigerian schoolchildren, declaring that any government unable to protect children has failed in its primary responsibility.

The groups, in a statement issued after the 2026 Children’s Day celebration, lamented that while Nigeria marked the annual event dedicated to children’s welfare and future, dozens of pupils remained in terrorists’ custody with little indication of urgent rescue efforts.

According to the statement, 39 pupils and seven teachers were abducted from schools in Oyo State, while another 42 children were kidnapped during an attack on Mussa Primary and Junior Secondary School in Askira-Uba Local Government Area of Borno State.

The groups also referenced the reported killing of one of the abducted teachers in Oyo State, Mr. Oyedokun Olugbade.

“On Wednesday, May 27, 2026, was Children’s Day in Nigeria, an annual holiday to celebrate Nigeria’s children and reflect on government’s efforts to build a thriving future for the new generation.

“Alas, as we marked this year’s celebration, nothing less than 81 Nigerian school children are languishing in captivity,” the statement read.

The organisations questioned why security agencies had not deployed advanced surveillance and intelligence capabilities to rescue the children.

“We know quite well, from our experience as civil society activists who have been regularly subjected to hostile surveillance, that Nigeria’s government and its security agencies possess the wherewithal to locate anyone within the territory of the nation.

“The question therefore is: why is this state-of-the-art surveillance technology not being deployed to rescue our children?” they asked.

The groups also accused the Federal Government of showing insufficient urgency in addressing insecurity, comparing the current situation to the 2014 Chibok schoolgirls abduction under former President Goodluck Jonathan.

“Just like former President Goodluck Jonathan in 2014 when the Chibok girls were abducted, President Tinubu is as clueless about what to do to curb the rampaging insecurity afflicting Nigeria,” the statement added.

The activists further criticised political leaders for focusing on party activities while children remained in captivity.

“While elections are undeniably important, the safety of the lives of average Nigerians and their welfare are more important. A government unable to guarantee this is a failed government,” they stated.

The groups called on Nigerians, labour unions, youths and civil society organisations to embark on peaceful nationwide protests to demand the rescue of abducted victims and improved security across the country.

The statement was jointly signed by rapper and activist Folarin Falana, popularly known as Falz, Hassan Soweto of the Organising Committee of the #EndBadGovernanceMovement in Lagos State, and Mike Igaga, Executive Director of the Participatory Development Alternatives, among others.