Panic and fear have gripped residents of Mussa village in Askira-Uba Local Government Area after suspected members of Boko Haram and ISWAP reportedly invaded a primary and junior secondary school in the community, with several students feared abducted during the attack.
The terrorists reportedly stormed Mussa Primary and Junior Secondary School in the early hours of Friday, attacking the school premises shortly after security troops had reportedly concluded a patrol operation and exited the area.
Sources within the community disclosed that the attackers arrived in large numbers on motorcycles and took advantage of the absence of security personnel before launching the invasion. Mussa village, which shares a border with the dreaded Sambisa Forest, has long remained vulnerable to terrorist attacks due to its remote location and proximity to insurgent hideouts.
Residents said the attack caused chaos as students and villagers ran in different directions for safety, with many children reportedly fleeing into nearby bushes while gunmen operated within the community.
A resident, Solomon Mussa, raised alarm in a social media post, calling for urgent prayers and support for the affected community. According to him, reports reaching residents indicated that school children were directly caught up in the attack carried out by the insurgents in the village.
The Deputy Speaker of the Borno State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Abdullahi Askira, who is from Askira-Uba Local Government Area, confirmed the incident and described the development as disturbing and heartbreaking.
Speaking on the attack, the lawmaker explained that armed men suspected to be terrorists invaded both the primary and junior secondary schools in Mussa village during the morning hours. He noted that while several students reportedly escaped into surrounding bushes during the invasion, authorities were still trying to determine the exact number of children abducted by the attackers.
He further expressed concern that the incident occurred only a few minutes after troops conducting patrol operations had left the community, suggesting that the terrorists may have been monitoring security movements before striking.
According to him, the timing of the invasion raised serious concerns about how closely insurgents track military operations in vulnerable communities before launching attacks.
The Deputy Speaker assured residents that more details would be provided as investigations and rescue efforts continue.
Attempts to get official confirmation from the Nigeria Police Force through the Police Public Relations Officer, ASP Kenneth Daso, were unsuccessful as calls and inquiries reportedly went unanswered at the time of filing the report.
The latest attack has once again raised concerns over the worsening security situation in parts of Borno State, especially in communities located near Sambisa Forest, where terrorist groups continue to carry out deadly raids, kidnappings and attacks despite ongoing military operations in the region.
