By Sabiu Abdullahi
Suspected terrorists have abducted an unspecified number of students from a school in Mussa village, located in Askira/Uba Local Government Area of Borno State.
According to Reuters, the attack happened around 9 a.m. on Friday while lessons were in progress at Mussa Primary and Junior Secondary School.
Residents told the news agency that the gunmen stormed the school and took away several students.
A teacher at the school said the attackers arrived on motorcycles before carrying out the abduction.
“Despite some students escaping into the bushes, I can tell you many were taken away,” the teacher said.
Midala Balami, the lawmaker representing Askira-Uba/Hawul Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives, described the incident as disturbing and called for urgent action from security agencies.
Reuters quoted the lawmaker as describing the attack as “heartbreaking”.
As of the time this report was filed, neither the Borno State Police Command nor the military had issued an official statement on the incident.
School attacks and mass abductions have continued to pose serious security concerns in parts of northern Nigeria in recent years, with armed groups often targeting students for ransom.
In November last year, at least 303 students were kidnapped from St. Mary’s Catholic Primary and Secondary School in Papiri, located in Agwara Local Government Area of Niger State.
That same month, gunmen also attacked Government Girls Comprehensive Senior Secondary School in Maga, Danko/Wasagu Local Government Area of Kebbi State, where 25 students were abducted.