Panic spread across parts of Borno State on Friday after suspected Boko Haram insurgents reportedly attacked a school in Askira-Uba Local Government Area, leaving several pupils missing.

The incident occurred at Mussa Primary and Junior Secondary School located in the Mussa district of Askira-Uba during school hours.

According to residents and local sources, the attackers stormed the school in the morning, causing chaos as students and teachers fled for safety.

Witnesses said many pupils escaped into nearby bushes during the confusion, while several others were reportedly unaccounted for after the attack.

Although authorities have yet to officially confirm the number of missing students, community members said fears remain high as parents continue searching for their children.

Reports from the area indicated that the gunmen arrived wearing military-style camouflage and allegedly exploited a temporary security gap shortly after security patrol teams had left the community.

Deputy Speaker of the Borno State House of Assembly, Abdullahi Askira, confirmed the attack and described the development as disturbing.

He said security agencies, local vigilante groups, and community leaders had commenced efforts to locate the missing pupils and secure the area.

Security personnel and local hunters have since launched search-and-rescue operations around nearby forest routes and bush paths suspected to have been used by the attackers.

Residents noted that communities around southern Borno remain vulnerable because of their proximity to forest corridors linked to insurgent movements around the Sambisa axis.

The latest attack has renewed concerns over the safety of schools and students in conflict-affected communities across northern Nigeria.

Community leaders have also called on the Federal Government to strengthen permanent military deployments in vulnerable areas, arguing that mobile patrol operations alone may not be enough to deter insurgent attacks.

The incident comes amid lingering fears over school-related attacks in northern Nigeria, years after several mass abductions drew global attention to insecurity in the region.

As of Friday evening, anxious parents and residents remained gathered around the school community awaiting updates on the whereabouts of the missing children.

Authorities say rescue operations and investigations are ongoing.