May 19, 2026 | SUNTV Global Channel News
Fresh tension has erupted in Borno State following the abduction of more than 50 students by suspected fighters of the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) in Askira Uba Local Government Area.
The incident reportedly followed a violent confrontation between rival terrorist factions operating in the region.
According to reports, a Boko Haram faction identified as Jama’atu Ahlis-Sunna Lidda’Awati Wal-Jihad (JAS) confirmed that ISWAP fighters carried out the abduction after launching a revenge mission over a recent territorial defeat.
The President of the Borno South Youth Alliance (BOSYA), Samaila Ibrahim Kaigam, confirmed the development on Monday, revealing that the kidnapped students were taken from Mussa Askira School after fierce clashes between the rival insurgent groups.
Kaigam explained that JAS fighters had earlier attacked and overpowered ISWAP members during a battle over territorial control, forcing the ISWAP fighters to temporarily retreat.
According to him, after JAS fighters later withdrew from the area, ISWAP members returned seeking revenge but failed to locate their rivals.
Unable to confront the Boko Haram faction, the terrorists allegedly stormed the community and abducted schoolchildren instead.
“So when ISWAP returned for revenge, they could not find the Boko Haram fighters and ended up taking the children from the area,” Kaigam reportedly disclosed.
He further revealed that ongoing discussions had been held with insurgent leaders concerning both the abducted students and other captives, including women and children from affected communities.
Kaigam claimed the JAS faction denied responsibility for the kidnapping, insisting that ISWAP alone carried out the operation.
According to him, the abduction was not pre-planned but happened opportunistically after the rival terrorists failed to engage each other in battle.
“They came for revenge, but when they could not find their enemies, they picked the children and left,” he explained.
The BOSYA president also expressed fears that ISWAP may not demand ransom or publicly acknowledge the kidnapping, describing the group as highly unpredictable.
Meanwhile, efforts are reportedly ongoing to establish contact with individuals linked to ISWAP in hopes of securing information about the abducted children and confirming whether they are still alive.
The latest incident comes days after suspected terrorists reportedly invaded Mussa Askira Primary School in Uba and abducted scores of pupils during school hours.
Sources familiar with the attack alleged that despite the presence of military personnel and operational vehicles in the community before the invasion, security operatives allegedly withdrew into nearby mountains as the terrorists approached.
Residents reportedly watched helplessly as the insurgents operated freely for several minutes and whisked away the pupils without resistance.
The incident has further intensified concerns over worsening insecurity in parts of Borno State and the continued vulnerability of rural communities and schools to terrorist attacks despite ongoing military operations in the North-East.
