Gunmen kidnap dozens of students in Nigeria’s Borno State

No group ​claimed responsibility for the raid which bore the hallmark of the ​Boko Haram group.Gunmen have ⁠kidnapped dozens of school pupils in Nigeria’s rebellion-ravaged northeastern state of Borno, residents ⁠told the Reuters and AFP news agencies.The suspected fighters stormed Mussa Primary and Junior Secondary School in Askira-Uba Local Government Area at about 9 am (08:00 GMT) on Friday while classes were in session and ⁠took several students with them, Ubaidallah Hasaan, who lives near the school, told Reuters.Recommended Stories list of 3 itemslist 1 of 3Chad declares national mourning after deadly Boko Haram ambushlist 2 of 3Africa’s richest man plans new Mombasa oil refinery: Why this matterslist 3 of 3UN urges independent probes into deadly Nigeria, Chad air attacksend of listA teacher at the school told Reuters that armed attackers had arrived on motorcycles. “Despite some students escaping to the bushes, I can tell you many were taken away,” the teacher ‌said.No group claimed responsibility for the raid, which bore the hallmark of the Boko Haram group. Local lawmaker Midala Usman Balami called the attack “heartbreaking” and urged authorities to act swiftly.Africa’s most populous country is battling a 17-year armed rebellion from such groups, who have made abductions a key tactic – including the infamous 2014 kidnapping of hundreds of schoolgirls in Chibok.Mass kidnappings have become a common way for gangs and armed groups to make quick money in Africa’s most populous country, especially in rural areas with little government presence.A few weeks ago, gunmen raided an orphanage and kidnapped at least 23 children from an “isolated area” in Nigeria’s Kogi-state" class="entity-link entity-location" data-entity-id="121301" data-entity-type="location">Kogi State capital, Lokoja, Kogi Information Commissioner Kingsley Fanwo said in a statement.Borno ⁠and neighbouring states have seen repeated attacks on schools and communities despite ongoing military operations, raising concerns about ⁠security gaps in rural areas.