Residents of Kautikari village in Chibok Local Government Area of Borno State were thrown into panic on Saturday night after suspected Boko Haram/ISWAP insurgents reportedly attacked the community, setting two schools ablaze and forcing villagers to flee into surrounding bushes.
The attack, which began at about 7 p.m., targeted the village’s primary school and day secondary school. Both facilities were reportedly engulfed in flames as frightened residents abandoned their homes in search of safety.
Kautikari, one of the communities in Chibok LGA, has experienced repeated attacks by insurgents over the years, heightening concerns over the security situation in the area.
A security operative from the village, who is currently based in Maiduguri, confirmed the incident, saying residents were caught unprepared by the latest assault.
“Yes, I can confirm to you that our village, Kautikari, in the Chibok Local Government Area is under Boko Haram attack,” the source said.
“The attackers stormed the community around 7 p.m. and began setting buildings on fire. Our people are running into the bushes for safety because nobody knows what may happen next.”
The source added that two educational institutions were among the structures affected by the attack.
“The primary school and the day secondary school have been set ablaze. We are deeply worried because these attacks continue to disrupt the lives and education of our children,” he said.
Another resident, who spoke on condition of anonymity, described the atmosphere in the community as chaotic.
“There was panic everywhere. Families abandoned their homes and fled in different directions. Many people spent the night in the bushes out of fear of being attacked,” the resident said.
As of the time of filing this report, there was no official statement from security agencies or the Borno State Government regarding the incident. It also remains unclear whether there were casualties or the full extent of the damage caused by the attackers.
Security analysts have warned that renewed attacks on rural communities in Borno State could undermine ongoing efforts to stabilize the North-East region.
“Attacks on schools and civilian communities are aimed at creating fear and disrupting normal life. It highlights the need for sustained security presence in vulnerable areas,” a security source noted.
Residents have called for immediate deployment of security personnel to Kautikari and surrounding communities to prevent further attacks and reassure displaced villagers of their safety.