Dozens of students feared abducted after Boko Haram storms village school

The fragile sense of peace in southern Borno State was violently disrupted on Friday morning, May 15, 2026, when suspected Boko Haram insurgents carried out a shocking raid on Mussa Primary and Junior Secondary School in Askira-Uba Local Government Area. What began as a normal school day quickly turned into a nightmare, leaving families devastated and an entire community gripped by fear and uncertainty.

According to eyewitness accounts and local sources, the attack occurred at about 9:00 in the morning. The assailants, who were reportedly dressed in military-style camouflage and riding on motorcycles, stormed the school premises with calculated precision. Their appearance initially caused confusion among students and staff, as many believed they were legitimate security personnel. However, the situation escalated within moments when the armed men began ordering a number of students to follow them into the surrounding bush.

Witnesses described scenes of chaos and panic as children scattered in different directions in a desperate attempt to escape. While some obeyed the attackers out of fear, others fled into nearby vegetation, hoping to avoid capture. The exact number of abducted students remains unclear at the time of reporting, but local authorities have confirmed that several pupils are still unaccounted for.

One of the most disturbing aspects of the incident is the timing of the attack. Local officials strongly suspect that the insurgents had been monitoring military activity in the area before launching their operation. Abdullahi Askira, the Deputy Speaker of the Borno State House of Assembly, expressed deep concern over what he described as a calculated and well-timed assault.

He noted that the attack took place just minutes after troops on routine patrol had left the community. According to him, this suggests that the insurgents were closely observing the movement of security forces and deliberately chose a moment when the village was most vulnerable. This pattern has raised fresh concerns about the presence of informants or surveillance networks that enable such attacks to be executed with precision.

The aftermath of the raid has left the Mussa community in a state of confusion and distress. Parents rushed to the school and surrounding areas in search of their children, many unsure whether their sons and daughters had been abducted or were hiding somewhere in the bush. Some children who managed to escape have since returned home, recounting terrifying experiences of how the attackers invaded their school and forced their classmates away.

Security forces, alongside local vigilante groups, have launched search and rescue operations in an effort to locate the missing students. The search efforts are currently focused on areas around the Sambisa Forest, a known stronghold for Boko Haram fighters. The forest, which has long served as a hideout for insurgents, poses a significant challenge for rescue missions due to its vast and difficult terrain.

Despite ongoing operations, there is growing anxiety among residents about the fate of the abducted children. Many fear that the students may have already been taken deep into the forest, making rescue efforts more complicated and time-sensitive. Community members have also expressed frustration over what they perceive as inadequate security coverage, especially in remote settlements like Mussa.

Mussa village has for years remained vulnerable due to its proximity to insurgent-controlled territories. Although there have been repeated assurances from government authorities about improved security in Borno State, incidents like this continue to expose gaps in protection, particularly in rural communities. Residents argue that while military patrols provide temporary relief, the absence of a sustained security presence leaves them exposed once troops move to other locations.

As of Friday evening, the Borno State Police Command had not released an official statement regarding the attack. However, local vigilante leaders confirmed that they are working closely with the military to track the movements of the attackers and gather intelligence that could aid in the rescue of the abducted students.

Beyond the immediate security concerns, the emotional toll on families and the wider community is profound. For many parents, the incident has reopened painful memories of past abductions that have plagued the region for over a decade. The tactic of disguising as military personnel has been repeatedly used by insurgents to gain access to vulnerable targets, creating confusion and reducing the chances of immediate resistance.

This latest attack serves as a grim reminder that despite years of military operations against Boko Haram, the threat remains far from eliminated. Schools, in particular, continue to be soft targets, with children often caught in the crossfire of a conflict they barely understand.

As the situation continues to unfold, families in Mussa remain in a state of anxious expectations, hoping for good news about their missing children. Many have joined search efforts, combing nearby bushes and calling out names, clinging to the possibility that some of the children may still be hiding and will find their way back home.

Authorities are expected to provide updates as more information becomes available, including the confirmed number of abducted students and the progress of rescue operations. For now, the community waits in fear and uncertainty, united in grief and hope.

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