Many schoolchildren are feared abducted after suspected Boko Haram/ISWAP terrorists invaded Mussa Primary and Junior Secondary School in Askira-Uba Local Government Area of Borno State.
The attack reportedly occurred on Friday morning when the armed men stormed the school on motorcycles shortly after troops had left the community.
Terrorists Strike Minutes After Troop Movement
According to eyewitness accounts shared on social media, the attackers arrived barely 15 minutes after military personnel left the area, raising concerns that the movement of troops may have been monitored.
In a post, Mr Solomon Mussa said schoolchildren were affected and called for urgent prayers as the situation unfolded.
The Deputy Speaker of the Borno State House of Assembly, Rt Hon. Abdullahi Askira, who hails from the area, also confirmed the incident.
“Yes, I can confirm to you that some suspected terrorists riding on motorcycles invaded primary and junior secondary schools in Mussa village this morning,” he said.
Students Flee Into Bush Amid Chaos
The lawmaker noted that many students reportedly fled into nearby bushes during the attack, although the exact number of those abducted remains unclear.
He added that the timing of the invasion, shortly after troops withdrew, suggests the attackers may have been tracking military movements before striking.
“It is also disheartening that the incident took place barely some few minutes after troops on patrol left the community,” he said.
The police in Borno State were yet to issue an official response at the time of filing this report.
Mussa village, located near the border of Sambisa Forest, has long been considered vulnerable due to its proximity to known insurgent hideouts.
Growing Security Concerns in North-East
The latest attack adds to ongoing concerns about renewed insurgent activity in parts of the North-East, especially in rural communities with limited security presence.
Authorities are expected to provide further updates as investigations continue into the possible abduction figures and the current status of the affected students.