Troops of the Joint Task Force (North East), Operation HADIN KAI, have launched search-and-rescue operations following an attack by suspected Boko Haram terrorists on Mussa community in Borno State, forcing school pupils writing examinations to flee, with an unspecified number reportedly abducted.
Military sources disclosed that the attack occurred at about 8:10 a.m. on Friday when troops of A Company, 115 Task Force Battalion stationed in Mussa came under heavy attack from insurgents.
The incident reportedly caused panic among pupils of Mussa Primary School, who were sitting for examinations at the time of the attack, as gunfire erupted between troops and the terrorists.
According to security sources, many of the pupils fled in different directions during the exchange of fire, raising fears that some may have been abducted by the attackers.
“The students ran in different directions during the exchange of fire between troops and the terrorists. Search-and-rescue operations are ongoing to locate the missing pupils, while reports indicate that an unconfirmed number may have been abducted,” a military source said.
The military added that further details surrounding the attack were still being awaited as rescue efforts continue.
In a related development, troops of the 117 Battalion, alongside Hybrid Forces, were deployed to Kauthama, Babanti and Ngadarma communities in Chibok Local Government Area after suspected terrorists were sighted in the area late Wednesday night.
The deployment, according to military sources, was aimed at restricting the movement of insurgents and preventing possible attacks in the affected communities.
However, security sources revealed that at least 10 civilians were killed by suspected Boko Haram terrorists in Kauthama village before troops arrived at the scene.
Military operations are said to be ongoing across the general area as troops intensify efforts to track down the fleeing insurgents and restore calm in the affected communities.
