Fresh School Kidnapping Shocks Nigeria’s Conflict-Ridden Borno State

Gunmen have abducted dozens of pupils after storming a school in Nigeria’s northeastern Borno State, residents and witnesses said on Friday. 

The attack took place at Mussa Primary and Junior Secondary School in Askira-Uba area while classes were ongoing.

According to local accounts, the attackers arrived on motorcycles around mid-morning and forced their way into the school compound, taking several students away. Some children reportedly escaped into nearby bushes during the chaos.

A teacher at the school confirmed that although some pupils managed to flee, “many were taken away” by the armed group. Authorities have not yet confirmed the exact number of abducted students.

No group has officially claimed responsibility for the raid, but the attack shows similarities to tactics often used by Boko Haram and other armed factions operating in the region.

Local officials and community leaders have condemned the incident, describing it as deeply distressing and calling for urgent government intervention to secure schools and rural communities.

Borno State, along with surrounding areas in northeastern Nigeria, has faced repeated attacks over the years linked to a long-running insurgency that began in 2009. Kidnappings of students have remained a recurring security challenge, particularly in remote communities with limited state presence.

Security forces are expected to launch a search-and-rescue operation, while fears remain that the attackers may still be operating in nearby forested areas often used as hideouts by armed groups.

• Tweet
• Share
• Share
• Share
• Share