Security agencies have launched a search operation in Borno State following the abduction of an unspecified number of students writing the National Examinations Council examination during an attack on Government Day Secondary School in Lassa, Askira/Uba Local Government Area.
The attack, which occurred at about 9 a.m. on Monday, was reportedly carried out by suspected members of the Islamic State West Africa Province, who stormed the community, opened fire and whisked away students alongside some women selling food within the school premises.
Confirming the incident, the spokesperson for the Borno State Police Command, Nahum Daso, said security operatives engaged the attackers, preventing what could have been a more devastating abduction.
“Around 9 a.m., ISWAP attacked Lassa Day Secondary School and shot sporadically. An unspecified number of students were abducted. Security forces confronted the attackers, preventing a larger-scale abduction.
The Commissioner of Police has deployed the Area Commander in Askira/Uba, and security operatives are currently combing the surrounding bush in search of the victims,” Daso said.
A resident of Lassa and Special Adviser on Media and Strategy to the Adamawa State Governor, Solomon Kwamagar, also confirmed the attack, saying the assailants arrived on motorcycles before invading the school.
“Today is Lassa market day. I was informed that the attackers came through the market on motorcycles before heading to Government Day Secondary School, Lassa. They opened fire, killed a teacher and took away students from their classrooms,” he said.
Kwamagar noted that efforts were ongoing to determine the exact number of victims.
“I am still making contacts to ascertain the total number of students and teachers who were kidnapped during the attack,” he added.
Earlier, President of the Borno South Youth Alliance, Samaila Kaigama, alleged that the attackers disguised themselves in military and forest guard uniforms to gain access to the community.
“The terrorists came shortly after 9 a.m. wearing military and forest guard uniforms. They passed through the military checkpoint before launching the attack and shooting sporadically,” Kaigama said.
According to him, one teacher was killed while another sustained gunshot injuries.
“They killed one teacher from Chibok and shot another who is receiving treatment. They also abducted some students and women selling food within the school premises. We are yet to determine the exact number of those taken,” he added.
However, some residents claimed the death toll was higher, alleging that two teachers and a female student were killed during the attack. One resident, who requested anonymity, said the student died after being shot in the mouth.
The Chairman of Askira/Uba Local Government Area, Mada Saidu, declined to comment, saying only that authorities were responding to the situation.
The latest attack comes weeks after another assault on schools in the same local government area. In May, suspected Boko Haram insurgents abducted dozens of pupils and students from schools in Askira/Uba, underscoring the persistent security challenges facing communities in southern Borno State.
