Breaking: Several pupils missing after suspected terrorists raid school in Borno

Fear and uncertainty gripped residents of Borno State on Friday after suspected Boko Haram insurgents reportedly attacked a school in Askira-Uba Local Government Area, leaving several pupils missing.

The attack occurred at Mussa Primary and Junior Secondary School in the Mussa district of Askira-Uba during school hours, according to local sources and community leaders.

Witnesses said the attackers stormed the school in the morning, causing panic among students and staff as pupils fled in different directions to escape the assault.

Community members said several children remain unaccounted for following the raid, although authorities have yet to confirm the exact number of missing pupils.

Reports from the area indicate that the gunmen were dressed in military-style camouflage and reportedly took advantage of a temporary security gap shortly after security patrol teams had moved away from the community.

Deputy Speaker of the Borno State House of Assembly, Abdullahi Askira, confirmed the incident and said efforts were ongoing to determine the number of affected students.

He described the situation as disturbing and said security agencies were working with local vigilante groups and community leaders to track down the missing children and secure the area.

Security operatives and local hunters have since launched search operations around nearby bush paths and forest routes believed to be used by the attackers.

The Mussa district is located near areas linked to insurgent activity around the Sambisa axis, which has remained vulnerable to attacks despite ongoing military operations in the North-East.

Residents say rural communities in southern Borno continue to face security threats due to their proximity to forest corridors often used by armed groups.

The latest attack has renewed concerns over the safety of schools and students in conflict-prone communities across the region.

Community leaders and vigilante groups are reportedly calling on the Federal Government and security authorities to strengthen permanent military presence in vulnerable border communities, arguing that mobile patrols alone are insufficient to deter insurgent attacks.

The incident also comes amid renewed fears of school-targeted attacks in northern Nigeria, years after several high-profile mass abductions drew international attention to insecurity affecting educational institutions.

As search efforts continue, anxious parents and residents gathered around the school premises awaiting updates on the whereabouts of the missing children.

Authorities say investigations and rescue operations are ongoing.