Gunmen Kidnap Over 50 Children in Northeast Nigeria Schools

Gunmen have abducted more than 50 children from three schools in Nigeria's northeastern Borno State. The attack occurred on Friday morning. Suspected Islamist militants carried out the coordinated assault. This incident has raised serious concerns for educational safety in the region. The gunmen attacked during school hours. They arrived on motorcycles. They stormed the Government Day Secondary School. They also targeted Mussa Central Primary School. The State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB) Primary School was also raided. This happened in the Askira-Uba Local Government Area. The attackers fired sporadically. This created widespread panic. Residents reported that troops had left the area shortly before the raid. Parents watched helplessly as their children were taken away. This kidnapping is part of a larger trend. Waves of armed abductions have hit northern and central Nigeria. Criminal gangs and Islamist groups are responsible. These attacks target vulnerable populations. Educational institutions remain at risk. The Sambisa Forest, a known stronghold for insurgents, is nearby. This region has a history of violence. Previous raids have targeted rural communities. Local teachers and residents confirmed the abductions. Ubaidallah Hasaan, a resident, stated that several students were taken. A teacher confirmed many children were abducted. The headmaster of Mussa Central Primary School, Abdu Dunama, reported the abduction of 34 children. He noted most were nursery pupils aged five and under. The Borno State Police Command confirmed an unspecified number of students are missing. They are still investigating. Nahum Daso, the police spokesperson, stated it is unclear if students were explicitly abducted. He said many students fled for safety. No group has claimed responsibility. However, the Borno police spokesperson suspects militants from Boko Haram or its splinter group, ISWAP. These groups have waged a violent campaign for nearly 17 years. The tactics used echo the 2014 Chibok schoolgirls kidnapping by Boko Haram. That event drew international condemnation. This is the first major school kidnapping in Borno State since then. Mass kidnappings have become a lucrative criminal enterprise across Nigeria. This follows a recent raid on an orphanage in Kogi State, where at least 23 children were abducted. Another incident occurred in Oyo State around the same time.

Gunmen Kidnap Over 50 Children in Northeast Nigeria Schools

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