The Middle Belt Forum (MBF) has demanded that the Federal Government prioritize the rescue of all citizens currently held by terrorist groups. Spokesman Luka Binniyat highlighted that while the recent recovery of victims in Oyo State proves that government action is effective, these efforts must apply to everyone, regardless of their location or background.
The organization criticized the Nigerian Union of Teachers for failing to show the same level of advocacy for victims in Southern Borno as they did for those in Oyo. The forum pointed to several unresolved kidnappings, including the abduction of 42 children from schools in Mussa, 36 students and a staff member from Lassa, and several individuals from Shikarkir, Ariko, and Awon communities. These incidents, which occurred throughout 2025 and 2026, have largely faded from the national discourse.
Binniyat expressed frustration that the government continues to fund rehabilitation programs for former Boko Haram members and bandits while the families of innocent captives remain abandoned. The forum called on religious leaders, international organizations, and the media to ensure that these forgotten victims are not left behind and to press for justice for all families affected by ongoing insecurity.
