Former Senate Leader and Senator representing Borno South, Mohammed Ali Ndume, has called on the Nigerian military and other security agencies to sustain the momentum from the successful rescue of abducted pupils and teachers in Oyo State by intensifying efforts to free 79 people still being held captive by kidnappers and insurgents in Southern Borno.
Senator Mohammed Ali Ndume has appealed to the Nigerian Armed Forces and other security agencies to shift renewed attention to Southern Borno, saying dozens of families in his constituency are still waiting for their loved ones to return home.
The lawmaker said the successful rescue of the abducted Oyo schoolchildren has demonstrated that coordinated security operations can yield results, urging authorities to replicate the same determination in Borno State.
Speaking after the rescue of the Oyo pupils and teachers, Ndume commended the military for the operation but noted that many residents of Borno South remain in captivity.
According to the senator, 79 abducted persons are still being held by kidnappers and insurgents across parts of Southern Borno, including women and children.
He specifically appealed for intensified efforts to rescue families affected in communities such as Lassa, stressing that relatives of the victims continue to live in fear and uncertainty.
Ndume has consistently advocated stronger military operations in Borno, particularly following recent kidnappings and insurgent attacks in the state.
His latest appeal comes barely a month after he praised troops and Borno State Governor Babagana Umara Zulum for the successful rescue of hundreds of abductees from Ngoshe, describing that operation as evidence that sustained military pressure can secure the release of victims.
The senator argued that while the rescue in Oyo deserves commendation, similar urgency should be extended to communities in the North-East that continue to grapple with abductions linked to Boko Haram and ISWAP.
Ndume urged the military, the Department of State Services (DSS), the Nigeria Police Force and other security agencies to maintain coordinated rescue operations until every captive is freed.
He also appealed to the Federal Government not to relent in its fight against terrorism and kidnapping, insisting that every Nigerian life deserves equal protection regardless of location.
As security forces continue operations across the North-East, Ndume says the rescue of the Oyo schoolchildren should serve as both an encouragement and a benchmark for future missions. He maintained that the real victory against insecurity will come only when every abducted Nigerian is safely reunited with their family.