The Borno State Police Command has confirmed that suspected Boko Haram and Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) terrorists abducted an unspecified number of students during an attack on Government Day Secondary School, Lassa, in Askira/Uba Local Government Area of the state.
The command disclosed that the incident occurred at about 9 a.m. on Monday when the insurgents stormed the school and opened fire, disrupting the ongoing National Examinations Council (NECO) examinations.
Confirming the attack, the spokesperson for the command, ASP Nahum Daso, said several students were kidnapped, while others remain unaccounted for.
“At about 9 a.m., an unspecified number of Boko Haram and ISWAP terrorists attacked a secondary school and shot sporadically into the air. During the attack, an unspecified number of students were abducted, while some are still missing,” Daso said.
“Investigation Had Commenced”
The police spokesperson noted that the command could not immediately verify reports that a teacher was killed during the attack, saying investigations were ongoing to establish the exact casualty figure.
He disclosed that a joint rescue operation involving the Nigeria Police Force, the Nigerian military, the Civilian Joint Task Force (CJTF), and the Area Commander in Askira/Uba had commenced.
According to Daso, security operatives are combing nearby forests in search of the abducted students and to track down the fleeing terrorists.
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The attack reportedly occurred while candidates were writing the ongoing NECO examinations, forcing students, teachers and residents to flee as gunmen fired indiscriminately within the school premises.
Authorities have yet to confirm the exact number of victims taken away by the attackers, while efforts continue to account for all students and staff affected by the incident.
The latest assault adds to growing concerns over renewed attacks on schools and communities in parts of Borno State, despite ongoing military operations against insurgent groups in Nigeria’s North-East.