Nigeria 16 May 2026 — Armed militants have reportedly abducted dozens of schoolchildren in Borno State, northeastern Nigeria, with the whereabouts of the victims still unknown, according to local sources.

Residents and parents said between 35 and 43 students were taken from a primary school in Musa village during the attack.

According to locals, the incident occurred shortly after Nigerian troops withdrew from the area. Witnesses stated that the attackers arrived on motorcycles and stormed the village less than half an hour after the military left.

The militants reportedly targeted both primary school students and children from a nearby childcare center before fleeing to an undisclosed location.

Community members said the attackers carried out the kidnapping swiftly, leaving families in fear and uncertainty over the safety of the children.

Nigeria, Africa’s most populous nation, has been battling armed insurgent groups for nearly 17 years. These groups have frequently carried out kidnappings, killings, and other violent attacks, particularly in the country’s northeastern region.