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Mass abduction of young children in north-eastern Nigeria
Armed assailants kidnapped more than 50 children, most aged between two and five, from three schools in the town of Mussa, Borno state, on Friday morning, according to teachers and local residents.
Attack details and eyewitness accounts
Witnesses reported that the gunmen used the abducted children as human shields while escaping on motorcycles, preventing security forces from returning fire. The attacks targeted Government Day Secondary School, Mussa Central Primary School, and State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB) Primary School.
Abdu Dunama, headmaster of Mussa Central Primary School, described hearing gunfire before armed men stormed the premises. He confirmed that 34 children, primarily nursery pupils under five, were taken from their classrooms.
Residents, speaking anonymously, stated that the militants arrived shortly after military patrols had left the area. The attackers fired sporadically, forcing locals to seek cover. Many parents watched helplessly from a nearby hill as their children were loaded onto motorcycles and driven away.
Survivors and local response
Some older students managed to escape into nearby bushes during the chaos. The largely agricultural community, already facing economic hardship, has urgently appealed to the government for assistance in securing the children's safe return.
One father, who requested anonymity due to fears of retaliation, told the BBC his wife was inconsolable after their six-year-old daughter was taken. Traumatized parents remain in anguish, waiting for updates on their children's fate.
Security situation and ongoing efforts
No group has claimed responsibility for the attack, and Nigerian government officials have not yet responded to requests for comment. Reports suggest the assault may bear the hallmarks of Boko Haram, an Islamist group competing for control in the region against its rival faction, Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP).
Dunama, who is in contact with security forces, said troops are actively pursuing the abductors. Nigeria has been grappling with a surge in mass kidnappings by various armed groups.
Borno state, where Mussa is located, has endured decades of insecurity, and the latest attacks have prompted some residents to flee the area.
