Amnesty International Nigeria has raised the alarm over the continued captivity of 42 schoolchildren abducted by gunmen in Askira-Uba Local Government Area of Borno State, saying 153 days have passed since their abduction without their reported rescue.

The organisation disclosed this in a statement posted on its X account on October 15, 2026, expressing concern over the worsening security situation affecting schoolchildren in northern Nigeria.

The children were reportedly abducted on May 15, 2026, while further abductions have been recorded in other parts of northern Nigeria since the incident.

Amnesty International described the situation as a disturbing failure to protect Nigerian children, warning that insecurity continues to threaten their right to education and personal safety.

“No child should go through what children are going through now in Nigeria. Education should not be a matter of life and death for anyone,” the organisation said.

It warned that the future of thousands of schoolchildren in northern Nigeria remained bleak, with hundreds of schools in some states reportedly shut indefinitely because of rising insecurity.

According to the organisation, many children have abandoned their education after experiencing the psychological trauma of witnessing violent attacks or enduring captivity.

Amnesty International called on the Federal Government to intensify efforts to secure the safe rescue of all schoolchildren held captive by armed groups.

It also urged the authorities to ensure that suspected perpetrators of the abductions are investigated and held accountable.

The organisation stressed that protecting children from attacks and ensuring uninterrupted access to education must remain a priority for the Nigerian government.

The continued abduction of schoolchildren and the closure of schools in conflict-affected communities have heightened concerns about the impact of insecurity on children’s safety, education and psychological well-being in northern Nigeria.