Fears grow that Boko Haram may have abducted another set of schoolgirls in Yobe State

FEARS are growing that Boko Haram may have abducted another set of pupils from Government Girls Secondary School Dapchi in Bursari Local Government Area of Yobe State after the set attacked the town and carted away food items.

In April 2014, Boko Haram gained international notoriety by abducting over 200 pupils from Government Girls Secondary School in Chibok in Borno State. Although some of the girls have been released, many still remain with the terrorist sect and despite suffering military setbacks, Boko Haram is still operational across northeast Nigeria.

Yesterday, fleeing members of Boko Haram attacked Dapchi town and it is believed that the beleaguered sect carted away foodstuffs during what appears to be a raid for resources. Some of the residents of the town who fled into surrounding bushes confirmed they were attacked but added that the abduction of the schoolgirls could not be ascertained.

They revealed that there was heavy gunfire from the insurgents. One such resident, Ibrahim Abubakar, a civil servant in the local government, said that they all had to go into hiding when they saw trucks and motorcycles carrying Boko Haram fighters coming into the town.

He said the insurgents shot indiscriminately and sporadically, leaving everyone in awe and with no other option than to flee. According to Mr Abubakar, although most gunfire was heard around the school, they could not confirm that any student was abducted during the raid.

Mr Abubakar said: “We have not been able to confirm if there was any death as a result of the attack as it is still dark and no one is bold enough to come out of hiding just yet. Perhaps we will be able to assess the situation in the morning but as we speak, we know there was a reinforcement of soldiers as exchange of gunfire was heard.”

One security source said that the attack on Dapchi was not unconnected with the fleeing Boko Haram fighters who were displaced by troops in Sambisa Forest. He said there has been a red alert since last Saturday when some terrorists in three vehicles were seen heading towards Damaturu, and that all checkpoints were asked to be attentive.

Alhaji Zanna Abatcha, the chairman of Bursari Local Government Area, said the suspected insurgents had already left the town and more security operatives have been deployed. Dapchi is the headquarters of Bursari Local Government Area of Yobe State and is about 100 kilometres from Damaturu, the state capital.