Gunmen kidnap dozens of students in Nigeria's Borno State

"The suspected fighters stormed Mussa Primary and Junior Secondary School in Askira-Uba Local Government Area at about 9 am (08:00 GMT) on Friday while classes were in session and took several students with them, Ubaidallah Hasaan, who lives near the school, told Reuters. A teacher at the school told Reuters that armed attackers had arrived on motorcycles. Despite some students escaping to the bushes, I can tell you many were taken away, the teacher said."

"No group claimed responsibility for the raid, which bore the hallmark of the Boko Haram group. Local lawmaker Midala Usman Balami called the attack heartbreaking and urged authorities to act swiftly. Africa's most populous country is battling a 17-year armed rebellion from such groups, who have made abductions a key tactic including the infamous 2014 kidnapping of hundreds of schoolgirls in Chibok."

"Mass kidnappings have become a common way for gangs and armed groups to make quick money in Africa's most populous country, especially in rural areas with little government presence. A few weeks ago, gunmen raided an orphanage and kidnapped at least 23 children from an isolated area in Nigeria's Kogi State capital, Lokoja, Kogi Information Commissioner Kingsley Fanwo said in a statement."

"Borno and neighbouring states have seen repeated attacks on schools and communities despite ongoing military operations, raising concerns about security gaps in rural areas. The community of Mussa lies near the Sambisa Forest, a longstanding stronghold of rebel fighters who have waged a campaign of violence in northeast Nigeria for more than a decade."

Gunmen stormed Mussa Primary and Junior Secondary School in Askira-Uba Local Government Area in Borno while classes were in session and kidnapped several students. Attackers arrived on motorcycles, and some students escaped to nearby bushes, but many were taken away. No group claimed responsibility, though the raid bore the hallmark of Boko Haram. Nigeria has faced a 17-year armed rebellion in the northeast, where abductions are a key tactic, including the 2014 Chibok schoolgirls kidnapping. Mass kidnappings have also been used by armed groups to generate quick money, particularly in rural areas with limited government presence. Repeated attacks on schools continue despite military operations, raising concerns about security gaps, including near the Sambisa Forest stronghold.

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