The House of Representatives has urged the Federal Government and security agencies to secure the immediate release of 42 schoolchildren abducted from Mussa Ward in Askira-Uba Local Government Area (LGA) of Borno State.
Lawmakers also called for a comprehensive national framework to protect schools after considering a motion of urgent public importance on Tuesday.
The motion was sponsored by Midala Balami, member representing Askira-Uba/Hawul Federal Constituency.
Presenting it, Balami said the abduction and the growing pattern of attacks on schools and communities pose a serious threat to education and national security.
He told the House that protecting pupils, students, teachers and school communities remains "a fundamental responsibility of government at all levels."
Balami recalled previous mass abductions in Borno, including the kidnapping of Chibok schoolgirls in April 2014, many of whom are still missing.
He also cited attacks on residents in Ngoshe and on the Biu-Buratai Road.
"The House is concerned that the recurring attacks on schools and communities continue to threaten access to education, endanger lives, traumatise families, disrupt livelihoods, and undermine public confidence in the capacity of government to guarantee security," he said.
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The lawmaker warned that persistent insecurity has deepened fear among residents and led to falling school enrolment and attendance in vulnerable areas.
He added that communities are "demanding visible and concrete actions rather than repeated assurances."
Adopting the motion, the House urged the Federal Government and relevant security agencies to "take immediate and decisive action" to rescue the 42 children from Mussa Ward and all other persons in captivity.
Lawmakers called for stronger security around schools in Borno and other high-risk areas through increased deployment of personnel, improved intelligence gathering and faster response systems.
They also advocated expanding school protection initiatives such as early warning systems, community-based security arrangements, security awareness programmes and better surveillance infrastructure around schools.
The House mandated its Committees on National Security, Defence, Basic Education and Legislative Compliance to engage security agencies and report back on measures to secure the release of abductees and improve school safety nationwide.
It further urged the Federal Government to develop and implement a comprehensive Safe Schools Security Framework to protect students, teachers and educational institutions.
"The safety of our children and the protection of education must remain a national priority.
"Our children deserve to learn in an environment free from fear, and our citizens deserve the assurance that government will act decisively to protect lives and property. The time for action is now," Balami said.
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