The Borno State Government has ordered the temporary closure and relocation of Government Day Secondary School, Mussa, in Askira/Uba Local Government Area following the abduction of 42 students by suspected Boko Haram insurgents.
The decision was announced by the Commissioner for Education, Science, Technology and Innovation, Lawan Wakilbe, during a government delegation’s visit to the affected community on Monday.
According to a statement issued on Tuesday by the spokesperson to Governor Babagana Umara Zulum, Dauda Illiya, the relocation forms part of immediate safety measures under the state’s Safe Schools Initiative.
The students of the affected school are to continue their studies at Government Secondary School, Uba, considered safer and more secure for learning activities.
The delegation also paid a courtesy visit to the Emir of Uba, Alhaji Ali Ibn Ismaila Mamza II, before proceeding to Mussa community where they met with military officials, community leaders and parents of the abducted students.
While addressing residents, Wakilbe assured families that the state government was intensifying efforts to secure the safe return of the victims and reaffirmed the administration’s commitment to protecting students and improving school safety across the state.
Speaking on behalf of the affected families, Ishaku Jidaye commended the swift response of Governor Zulum but appealed for more urgent action to rescue the abducted children, noting that families were passing through emotional and psychological trauma.
The government delegation also visited Dille and Lassa communities to evaluate security conditions in schools and inspect the implementation of Safe School measures in the affected areas.
Among facilities inspected were the ongoing Government Secondary School project in Uvu, High Islamic College Uba, the wind-damaged Government Day Secondary School Rumirgo, and Government Secondary School Uba where the relocated students are expected to continue their education.
The abduction occurred on May 16 when suspected insurgents attacked Mussa Primary and Junior Secondary School in Askira/Uba LGA.
According to the Senator representing Borno South, Ali Ndume, the abducted persons include four secondary school students, 28 primary school pupils and 10 children taken from nearby homes, bringing the total number of victims to 42.
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