Senator representing Borno South, Ali Ndume, has disclosed that 42 pupils were abducted by suspected Boko Haram insurgents during an attack on Mussa Primary and Junior Secondary School in Askira-Uba Local Government Area of Borno State.
The lawmaker said the incident occurred in the early hours of Friday when suspected Boko Haram/ISWAP fighters stormed the school community.
According to Ndume, the information was confirmed by school authorities and community leaders, who provided details of the attack and the number of missing children.
Earlier reports from residents had indicated that about 20 children were missing after the invasion. One resident, who spoke anonymously, expressed fears that the abducted pupils could be forced into joining the terrorist group if security operatives failed to rescue them quickly.
The Deputy Speaker of the Borno State House of Assembly, Abdullahi Askira, also confirmed the attack but noted that details were still unclear.
He explained that many students fled into nearby bushes during the attack, adding that authorities were still trying to determine the exact number of abducted victims.
Providing a breakdown of the figures, Ndume stated that 28 pupils were taken from the primary section of the school, four students — two boys and two girls — were abducted from the Government Day Secondary School (GDSS), while 10 other children were reportedly taken from their homes.
The senator described the incident as disturbing and heartbreaking, stressing that the pupils were abducted during early morning classes.
Ndume appealed to troops of the Joint Task Force North-East Operation HADIN KAI and other security agencies to intensify efforts to rescue the victims and restore safety in communities across Southern Borno.
He also sympathised with families affected by recent attacks and killings in Chibok and other parts of Southern Borno.
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