‎Police launch search operation after terrorists abduct NECO candidates in Borno ‎

Maiduguri, Borno State — Security operatives have launched a manhunt for suspected terrorists who abducted an unspecified number of students sitting for the National Examinations Council (NECO) examination at Government Day Secondary School, Lassa, in Askira/Uba Local Government Area of Borno State.
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‎The attack occurred around 9 a.m. on Monday when armed insurgents reportedly stormed the school, firing sporadically before whisking away students and women selling food within the school premises.
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‎Confirming the incident, the spokesperson for the Borno State Police Command, Nahum Daso, said security forces engaged the attackers, preventing what could have been a larger-scale abduction.
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‎“ISWAP attacked Lassa Day Secondary School around 9 a.m. They shot sporadically and abducted an unspecified number of students. Security forces confronted them, and the Commissioner of Police has deployed the Area Commander in Askira/Uba. They are currently combing the bush in search of the victims and perpetrators,” Daso said.
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‎A resident of Lassa and Special Adviser on Media and Strategy to the Adamawa State Governor, Solomon Kwamagar, also confirmed the attack. He said the assailants arrived on motorcycles and invaded the school during examination hours.
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‎“Today is Lassa market day. The attackers reportedly came through the market on motorcycles before proceeding to Government Day Secondary School, where they opened fire and abducted students from their classrooms,” Kwamagar said.
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‎He added that efforts were ongoing to determine the exact number of students and staff affected by the incident.
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‎The President of the Borno South Youth Alliance, Samaila Kaigama, disclosed that the attackers disguised themselves in military and forest guard uniforms, enabling them to move through security checkpoints unnoticed.
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‎“The terrorists arrived shortly after 9 a.m. wearing military and forest guard attire. They passed through a military checkpoint before launching the attack,” Kaigama said.
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‎According to him, one teacher was killed and another sustained gunshot injuries during the assault. He further stated that several students and women trading within the school premises were abducted.
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‎“They killed one teacher from Chibok and injured another. They also kidnapped some students and women selling food within the school. The exact number of those abducted is still unknown,” he said.
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‎However, some residents claimed that the death toll may be higher. One resident, who requested anonymity, alleged that two teachers and one female student were killed during the attack.
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‎“They killed two teachers and one female student. The student was shot in the mouth,” the resident said.
‎The Chairman of Askira/Uba Local Government Area, Mada Saidu, declined to comment, citing the ongoing security situation.
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