Suspected members of Boko Haram and the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) on Monday attacked Government Day Secondary School in Lassa, Askira/Uba Local Government Area of Borno State, abducting an unspecified number of students sitting for the National Examinations Council (NECO) examination.
The terrorists reportedly invaded the school around 9:00 a.m., firing sporadically into the air and causing panic among students, teachers, and residents before whisking an unknown number of examination candidates into the bush.
A teacher was reportedly killed during the attack, while another sustained injuries. However, authorities say the exact number of casualties and abducted students is yet to be confirmed.
Confirming the incident, the spokesperson for the Borno State Police Command, ASP Nahum Daso, said several students 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.
He added that the police could not immediately verify reports of fatalities.
Security personnel, including the military, the Civilian Joint Task Force (CJTF), and the Area Commander in Askira/Uba, have launched a coordinated search-and-rescue operation. Troops are currently combing nearby forests in an effort to rescue the abducted students and apprehend the attackers.
Authorities say further details will be made available as the operation continues.
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