Suspected Boko Haram/ISWAP Terrorists Torch Schools in Chibok, Residents Flee Into Bushes

Suspected Boko Haram/ISWAP Terrorists Torch Schools in Chibok, Residents Flee Into Bushes

Suspected Boko Haram/ISWAP terrorists have reportedly set ablaze a primary school and a secondary school in Kautikari village, located in Chibok Local Government Area of Borno State, causing panic among residents and forcing many to flee their homes.

The latest attack comes amid growing concerns over insecurity in the region and follows the reported abduction of pupils from Mussa Primary and Junior Secondary School in Askira-Uba, who have remained missing for nearly a month.

According to security sources, the attackers stormed Kautikari village at about 7 p.m. on Saturday. The community, which has experienced repeated terrorist attacks over the years, was thrown into confusion as residents rushed to seek safety.

One of the security sources disclosed that although no deaths were recorded during the incident, the sudden invasion compelled villagers to abandon their homes and run into nearby bushes to avoid being harmed.

“No casualty has been reported so far, but residents were forced to flee into the bush for safety when the attackers arrived,” the source said.

Residents described the attack as unusual, particularly because the terrorists targeted educational facilities. According to a local resident, the same village had been attacked months ago, but no public or private property was destroyed at that time.

The resident expressed shock over the destruction of the schools, noting that such actions had not been witnessed in previous attacks on the community.

“I wonder why they decided to set ablaze the Primary School and Day Secondary School. Such attacks are unusual because even when they attacked before, they did not destroy any public or private property,” he said.

The destruction of the schools has raised concerns about the future of education in the area, as many communities in Borno State continue to struggle with the impact of insurgency. For years, schools have been among the targets of terrorist groups operating in northeastern Nigeria, leading to disruptions in learning and forcing many children out of classrooms.

Residents are now calling on security agencies to strengthen protection around vulnerable communities and educational institutions to prevent further attacks. Many fear that continued assaults on schools could discourage parents from sending their children to school, worsening the educational challenges already facing the region.

Efforts to obtain an official response from the Borno State Police Command were unsuccessful at the time of filing this report. Calls placed to the Police Public Relations Officer, ASP Nahum Kenneth Daso, were not answered.

As of the time of this report, security agencies had not released additional details regarding the attack or the extent of the damage caused to the affected schools. However, residents remain on edge as they await further security measures and assurances from authorities.

The incident serves as another reminder of the persistent security challenges confronting communities in Borno State and other parts of Nigeria's northeast region.