Suspected Boko Haram terrorists have attacked Kautikari community in Chibok Local Government Area of Borno State, killing one resident and setting ablaze a school block containing five classrooms and a staff office at Government Day Secondary School.
The attack occurred at about 6:45 p.m. on Saturday and was confirmed to PUNCH Online on Sunday by the Education Secretary of Chibok Local Government Area, Malah Kyari.
“I can confirm that the insurgents attacked the Kautikari community yesterday, killed one person, and set ablaze one block containing five classrooms and an office at Kautikari JSS,” Kyari said.
According to him, the affected structure housed the junior secondary school section of the institution.
The Borno State Police Command also confirmed the attack, stating that security operatives successfully repelled the insurgents and prevented further destruction.
The Police Public Relations Officer, ASP Nahum Daso, said the attackers met stiff resistance from a joint security team deployed to the area.
“They attacked Kautikari village, where they burnt two classrooms at Government Day Secondary School and killed one person, a man.
“The suspected insurgents faced strong resistance from joint security forces, averting further losses. As of now, the area is calm and intensive patrols are ongoing,” Daso stated.
Also speaking on the incident, the Zonal Inspector for Local Government and Emirate Affairs overseeing Bama, Chibok, Gwoza, Askira/Uba and Damboa Local Government Areas, Samaila Manza, confirmed that the community came under attack but noted that authorities were still assessing the extent of the damage.
“I was informed that terrorists attacked the village, but we have not verified the actual extent of the damage they caused,” he said.
Residents familiar with the incident said the attackers arrived in large numbers on motorcycles and appeared determined to destroy the school and other public assets.
One community source, who requested anonymity for security reasons, said the attackers unleashed terror on the village shortly after their arrival.
“I learnt they entered Kautikari on motorcycles. Many residents have fled for safety. They targeted the school and set it on fire. It was during their entry into the community that a man was killed,” the source said.
The latest attack has renewed concerns over the safety of schools and rural communities in Borno State, despite ongoing military operations against insurgent groups in the North-East.
