Forty-two people taken hostage following raid on educational institution in Borno village, according to Ndume

Saturday brought confirmation from Senator Mohammed Ali Ndume, representing Borno South, that a staggering 42 students and children were taken by Boko Haram/ISWAP terrorists during a raid on Primary and Junior Government Day Secondary School in Mussa, Askira-Uba local Government Area, on the preceding Friday.

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This brazen attack prompted Senator Ndume to urge security agencies, particularly the Joint Task Force North East 'Operation HADIN KAI', to ramp up their efforts to rescue the abducted victims, emphasizing the need for swift action to alleviate the suffering of the affected families.

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The senator described the incident as a heart-wrenching and barbaric act that has left many parents and guardians in a state of hopelessness, a sentiment that resonates deeply given the recent history of attacks in his constituency.

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Senator Ndume's constituency has borne the brunt of constant attacks, with the most recent being the assaults on Chibok communities of Bambatsu and Ngadarma on Thursday, resulting in the loss of several lives, including those of the elderly.

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The abduction at Mussa Schools is particularly distressing, as it occurred while students were engaged in their morning lessons, a time when they should have been safe and focused on their education, according to Senator Ndume.

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In a press statement issued to journalists in Maiduguri, which he personally signed, Senator Ndume revealed that the schools' authorities had informed him that the breakdown of the abducted individuals was as follows: four students from the secondary section, comprising two males and two females, 28 pupils from the primary section, and 10 children taken from their homes, totaling 42 persons.

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Reiterating his appeal for urgent action, Senator Ndume, who previously chaired the Senate Committee on Army, called on the security agencies, especially the Nigerian Army, to intensify their efforts to rescue the innocent victims and bring them back to their families.

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Senator Ndume also extended his condolences to the families of those who lost their lives in the Chibok communities and other attacks within the Southern Borno Senatorial District, acknowledging the profound impact of these tragedies on the affected communities.