Boko Haram Torches Schools in Borno

Author: Gist Correspondent

Suspected Boko Haram/ISWAP insurgents have reportedly set fire to a primary school and a secondary school in Kautikari village, Chibok Local Government Area of Borno State.

The attack comes amid growing security concerns in the state, following the 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 terrorists stormed Kautikari at about 7:00 p.m. on Saturday, causing panic among residents and forcing many to flee into nearby bushes for safety.

Although no casualties were recorded during the incident, the destruction of the educational facilities has heightened fears among residents already grappling with repeated insurgent attacks.

A security source confirmed that while lives were spared, the attackers deliberately targeted public infrastructure, particularly the village\'s primary and secondary schools.

One resident expressed shock over the development, noting that although the community had experienced previous attacks by insurgents, public and private property had largely been spared.

\"The terrorists attacked this village some months ago, but they did not destroy any public or private property. I am surprised they chose to burn down the primary school and the day secondary school. Such attacks are unusual,\" the resident said.

Kautikari, one of the communities repeatedly affected by insurgency in southern Borno, has witnessed several attacks over the years, with residents often forced to abandon their homes temporarily.

Efforts to obtain an official reaction from the Borno State Police Command were unsuccessful, as calls to the Police Public Relations Officer, ASP Nahum Kenneth Daso, did not connect at the time of filing this report.