Boko Haram Raid Borno School, Many Students Feared Abducted in Midnight Attack Near Sambisa Forest

Fear and confusion swept through Mussa community in Borno State on Friday after suspected Boko Haram/ISWAP fighters stormed a primary and junior secondary school, leaving several students feared abducted.

The attackers reportedly invaded Mussa Primary and Junior Secondary School in Askira-Uba Local Government Area during the early hours of the day, arriving on motorcycles shortly after security troops had left the area following routine patrol operations.

Mussa village, located near the notorious Sambisa Forest, has long remained vulnerable to insurgent activity due to its remote location and proximity to terrorist hideouts. Residents said the armed men took advantage of the absence of troops before launching the assault.

Local sources disclosed that panic broke out immediately the gunmen entered the school premises, forcing many students to flee into nearby bushes in an attempt to escape.

A resident, Solomon Mussa, raised alarm over the incident in a social media post, calling for prayers and support for the affected community. He indicated that schoolchildren were among those caught in the attack.

Confirming the incident, the Deputy Speaker of the Borno State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Abdullahi Askira, said suspected terrorists invaded the schools in the village but noted that details surrounding the number of abducted students were still unclear.

“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.

He explained that several students escaped into surrounding bushes during the invasion but added that authorities were still gathering information on those missing.

Askira described the timing of the attack as troubling, noting that the insurgents appeared to have monitored troop movements before striking the community.

“It is disheartening that the incident took place barely minutes after troops on patrol left the community. This suggests the attackers were monitoring security movements before carrying out the operation,” he added.

Efforts to get an official response from the Borno State Police Command were unsuccessful as of press time.

The latest attack adds to growing concerns over renewed insurgent activities in parts of North-East Nigeria, particularly around communities bordering Sambisa Forest, where Boko Haram and ISWAP fighters continue to launch raids despite ongoing military offensives.