Terrorist attack: Borno shuts down school

By Paul Dada

The fear of terrorists is the beginning of wisdom in Borno State. This is why the state government has shut and relocated the Government Day Secondary School, Mussa, in Askira/Uba Local Government Area, after the abduction of 42 pupils and students by suspected insurgents.

The decision was announced during an official visit to the affected community by the Commissioner for Education, Science, Technology and Innovation, Lawan Wakilbe, as part of government follow up actions after the attack.

Revealing the development, the state governor’s spokesperson, Dauda Illiya, said  the delegation first visited the Emir of Uba, Alhaji Ali Ibn Ismaila Mamza II, before heading to Mussa, where they met military officials, community leaders and parents of the abducted children.

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.”

At the community engagement, Wakilbe expressed government sympathy and assured residents that efforts to rescue the abducted pupils had been intensified. He reaffirmed that student safety remained a top priority for the state administration.

As an immediate step, authorities ordered the relocation of the school to Government Secondary School, Uba, under the Safe Schools Initiative. Illiya stated: “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.”

Parents, speaking through Ishaku Jidaye, praised Governor Babagana Umara Zulum’s response but urged faster action to secure the release of the victims, saying families were under severe emotional distress.

The delegation also inspected schools and facilities across Dille, Lassa and Uba to review security conditions and enforce safety measures in learning environments.