Suspected Boko Haram insurgents have attacked a primary and junior secondary school in Mussa village, Askira-Uba Local Government Area of Borno State, abducting an unspecified number of students, residents and officials said Friday.
The attackers, said to be in large numbers, stormed the community on motorcycles and forced their way into the school shortly after military personnel reportedly left the area, according to local sources.
A resident, who asked not to be named, said the assailants took away several pupils during the early morning raid.
“Yes, the attack happened early hours of today (Friday), and it was discovered that many children were abducted,” the resident said.
The Deputy Speaker of the Borno State House of Assembly, Abdullahi Askira, confirmed the attack but said the situation remained unclear.
“Details of the attack are sketchy, but the information at my disposal has it that many of the students fled into the bush. I don’t have details of those abducted,” he said.
He described the incident as “disheartening,” adding that the insurgents appeared to have monitored troop movements before striking.
“This signifies that the attackers were spying on the movement of troops before they struck,” Askira said.
Social media posts from residents also raised alarm over the attack, with users calling for prayers and support for affected families, though authorities have not confirmed the exact number of abducted students.
Police authorities in Borno State had yet to issue an official statement as of press time, as calls and messages to the police spokesperson went unanswered.
The attack adds to ongoing security concerns in parts of northern Borno, where school abductions have remained a recurring tactic by insurgent groups despite military operations in the region.
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