Borno govt orders temporary closure of school where terrorists abducted 42 children

The Borno State Government has ordered the temporary closure and relocation of the Government Day Secondary School, Mussa, in Askira/Uba Local Government Area, following the abduction of 42 students.

A statement on Tuesday, May 26, by the spokesperson for the state governor, Dauda Illiya, said the state Commissioner for Education, Science, Technology, and Innovation, Lawan Wakilbe, announced the decision on Monday, May 25, during a visit to the community.

Illiya said, “Before proceeding to Mussa, the delegation paid a courtesy visit to the Emir of Uba, His Royal Highness Alhaji Ali Ibn Ismaila Mamza II, at his palace in Uba.”

He noted that while in Mussa, the delegation was received by the Commanding Officer of the 115 Battalion, Askira, Lt. Col. Ishola Olufisola, alongside community leaders and parents of the abducted students.

Addressing parents during an interactive session, Wakilbe conveyed the sympathy and solidarity of the government and people of Borno State, assuring them that intensified efforts were underway to secure the safe rescue of the students.

“As part of immediate safety measures under the Safe Schools Initiative, the commissioner directed the temporary closure of Government Day Secondary School, Mussa, and approved its relocation to Government Secondary School, Uba, where students are expected to continue their education in safer, more secure conditions,” Illiya said.

On May 16, it was disclosed that forty-two students and pupils were abducted after suspected Boko Haram terrorists attacked Mussa Primary and Junior Secondary School in Askira/Uba Local Government Area of Borno State.

The lawmaker representing Borno South Senatorial District, Muhammade Ndume, said the abducted students comprise “four (4) students from the GDSS (two male and two female), 28 pupils were abducted from the primary section, while 10 children were abducted from their various residential houses, making a total of 42 persons.”