Tension as Boko Haram ‘attacks girls school’ in Yobe

Suspected Boko Haram insurgents who attacked Dapchi in Bursari local government area of Yobe state on Monday targeted some students of Government Girls Secondary School in the town.

It is not clear whether some of the students were abducted.

Daily Trust quoted a teacher as saying the insurgents stormed the school, through the eastern part of the town, around 7pm.

“They shot sporadically and forced the school food store opened. We (staff) and the students ran into the bush for safety,” he was quoted to have said.

When asked whether there was any abduction, he reportedly said it was too early for him to comment.

“For now, we can’t say anything until the entire students returned tomorrow morning,” he said.

A resident simply identified as Ibrahim, said the attackers came to the village in six Hilux vans.

“They also attacked the military location at the town’s entrance bridge. But we cannot tell if there is any casualty for now,” he said.

Abdulmalik Sunmonu, commissioner of police in the state, had confirmed the attack on Monday night.

Sunmonu said security operatives were deployed in the location.

The incident evokes memories of the abduction of 276 girls from Government Girls Secondary School, Chibok, Borno state, in 2014.

Of that number, 163 are now free: 57 fled in the early days after their abduction, three more escaped later, and a Swiss-coached mediation secured 103.

In a report in December, Wall Steet Journal said 13 of the Chibok schoolgirls died in the insurgents’ custody.

The report said hunger and snake bite were responsible for the deaths.

President Muhammadu Buhari has vowed to do his best to ensure the release of the remaining girls in captivity.