No fewer than 42 schoolchildren were reportedly abducted by suspected Boko Haram and ISWAP terrorists during an attack on schools in Askira-Uba Local Government Area of Borno State.
The incident occurred hours after the Nigerian military and United States forces announced the killing of a top Islamic State commander, Abu-Bilal al-Minuki, during a joint counter-terrorism operation around the Lake Chad region.
Sen. Ali Ndume confirmed the abduction on Saturday, saying the attackers stormed Primary and Junior Government Day Secondary School, Mussa, during morning lessons on Friday.
According to him, four students comprising two boys and two girls were abducted from the secondary school section, while 28 pupils were taken from the primary section.
Ndume added that 10 other children were kidnapped from nearby homes, bringing the total number of abducted persons to 42.
The lawmaker described the incident as barbaric and heartbreaking, saying it had thrown families and residents into distress.
He appealed to troops of the Joint Task Force North-East, Operation Hadin Kai, and other security agencies to intensify rescue efforts and ensure the safe return of the victims.
Ndume also expressed concern over renewed attacks in Southern Borno communities, particularly recent assaults on Bambatsu and Ngadarma communities in Chibok area.
Meanwhile, military authorities disclosed that a joint Nigeria-United States operation carried out around Metele in Borno led to the killing of Abu-Bilal al-Minuki, described as a senior ISWAP commander with links to international terrorist networks.
The Defence Headquarters said the operation followed months of intelligence gathering and surveillance involving Nigerian troops and the United States Africa Command.
Military sources said the operation commenced shortly after midnight on Saturday and involved coordinated air and ground assaults on insurgent enclaves around the Lake Chad fringes.
The military said the operation was executed without casualties among Nigerian and allied troops.
The development has, however, generated controversy following claims that a terrorist commander bearing the same name had earlier been killed in 2024.
Reacting, human rights lawyer, Femi Falana urged President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to rely on verified information from military authorities regarding counter-insurgency operations.
Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, defended the Presidency’s position, insisting that the operation followed extensive intelligence gathering and verification.
Security experts also warned against possible reprisal attacks by insurgent groups following the killing of the ISWAP commander.
Former President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan, meanwhile, expressed concern over worsening insecurity in the country.
Jonathan, speaking at the first session of the 13th Synod of the Anglican Diocese of Abuja, lamented that Nigerians were gradually becoming desensitised to killings and violence.
He called for moral rebirth, responsible leadership and collective efforts to address the nation’s security challenges.
