The National Association of Nigerian Students, Zone E (North-East), has announced a coordinated peaceful solidarity demonstration across five states in response to the abduction of 42 students of Government Day Secondary School, Mussa, in Askira/Uba Local Government Area of Borno State.
The protest, scheduled to hold between June 5 and June 7, 2026, will take place simultaneously in Borno, Bauchi, Gombe, Adamawa, and Taraba States, as student leaders seek to draw national attention to the growing insecurity affecting schools in the region.
According to a notice issued on Wednesday by the Chief of Staff to the Zonal Coordinator, Lukman Yusuf, the demonstration is intended to express solidarity with the families of the abducted students and to demand urgent and intensified action from the Federal Government and security agencies to secure their safe return.
Yusuf stated that the planned mobilisation is peaceful and structured, emphasising that it is rooted in concern for the safety of students and the future of education in the North-East.
“The demonstration is aimed at drawing attention to the plight of the abducted students, expressing solidarity with their families, and calling on the Federal Government and relevant security agencies to intensify efforts towards their immediate rescue,” the statement read.
The announcement comes amid rising anxiety across communities in Borno State following the attack on Government Day Secondary School, Mussa, where armed men reportedly abducted 42 students, an incident that has once again highlighted the vulnerability of educational institutions in conflict-affected areas.
Student leaders across the North-East have described the situation as deeply troubling, warning that repeated attacks on schools risk discouraging attendance and worsening the already fragile education system in the region.
The National Association of Nigerian Students (Zone E) said the planned protest will be conducted in a peaceful manner across all five states, with participants expected to carry placards, hold solidarity marches, and engage in public awareness campaigns aimed at amplifying the voices of affected families.
Organisers stressed that the demonstrations are not intended to disrupt public order but to serve as a collective appeal for urgent government intervention and improved security architecture around schools.
The association also called on the Federal Government to take immediate steps to strengthen security around educational institutions nationwide, particularly in high-risk areas where schoolchildren remain exposed to recurring threats of abduction.
“We urge the Federal Government to strengthen security measures in all educational institutions across the country to safeguard students and ensure that schools remain safe environments for learning,” the statement added.
Student leaders in the region have continued to express concern that the recurrence of school abductions is having a devastating psychological impact on pupils, parents, and educators, many of whom now live in constant fear of attacks during school hours or transit.
They warned that without decisive action, such incidents could lead to declining school enrolment rates, particularly in rural communities where insecurity is already a major barrier to education.
In several parts of the North-East, residents have reportedly begun calling for increased military presence, improved intelligence gathering, and the deployment of modern surveillance systems to prevent further attacks on schools and other soft targets.
Education stakeholders have also joined in condemning the abduction, describing it as a setback for ongoing efforts to rebuild and stabilise education in regions affected by insurgency and insecurity.
The planned protest by NANS Zone E is expected to feature coordinated activities across major towns and university campuses, with student unions, civil society groups, and concerned citizens expected to participate in solidarity marches.
Organisers have reiterated that all activities will remain strictly peaceful, urging participants to avoid confrontation and ensure compliance with public safety guidelines during the demonstrations.
The association further appealed to security agencies to provide adequate protection for protesters throughout the duration of the exercise, in order to prevent any breakdown of law and order.
As preparations continue across the five states, tension remains high among families of the abducted students, who are still awaiting updates on rescue efforts from authorities.
The incident has once again brought national focus to the urgent need for comprehensive reforms in school security across Nigeria, as pressure mounts on the government to prevent further tragedies involving students.
For many observers, the upcoming three-day solidarity actions represent not just a protest, but a collective demand from young Nigerians for safer schools, stronger protection systems, and a renewed commitment to safeguarding the country’s educational future.
