Tension gripped Lassa in Askira-Uba Local Government Area of Borno State on Tuesday as families reported at least 36 students missing after a deadly attack on a secondary school, while angry youths chased away a government delegation sent to sympathise with victims.
The attack took place on Monday at Government Day Secondary School, Lassa, where suspected ISWAP terrorists stormed the school during the ongoing National Examinations Council (NECO) examinations. The gunmen reportedly killed two teachers and abducted dozens of students before fleeing the area.
A delegation sent by the Borno State Government, led by Commissioner for Education, Science, Technology and Innovation Lawan Abba Wakilbe, visited the community on Tuesday to assess the situation and meet with affected families. However, the visit quickly turned tense as grieving parents and protesting youths rejected the delegation’s address.
The crowd repeatedly demanded immediate action to rescue the abducted students instead of official speeches. Chanting, “We don’t want any talk, just go and bring back our children,” the protesters forced the delegation to abandon its planned address. Security personnel later escorted the officials out of the community as demonstrators carried placards and accused authorities of failing to protect the students.
Meanwhile, parents have begun registering the names of children who remain unaccounted for. Several families confirmed that at least 36 students were still missing, although one parent said the number of registered names had reached 37 during the compilation exercise.
Among those searching for loved ones is Mbula Bura, who said his 19-year-old daughter, Esther Mbula, has not been seen since the attack. Another parent, Emmanuel Dari, said his 16-year-old daughter, Lucy Emmanuel, was writing her examination when the terrorists invaded the school. Resident Bitrus Milnda also confirmed that two of his relatives, Martha Wajau and Abori Ujulu, both SS1 students, were among those abducted.
The military had earlier announced that troops under Operation Hadin Kai, supported by air surveillance, rescued 10 victims, including students and teachers, during a search-and-rescue operation. The operation, however, claimed the lives of two security personnel. Borno State Commissioner for Information and Internal Security, Usman Tar, said efforts to rescue the remaining abductees were continuing, although authorities were still verifying the exact number of those missing.
In response to the attack, the Borno State Government ordered the temporary closure of schools in Lassa, Dille and Chul as a security precaution. Students participating in the ongoing NECO examinations will instead be relocated to Government Secondary School, Uba, to allow them to complete their examinations safely.
Governor Babagana Umara Zulum also dispatched a high-powered delegation to the community and reassured residents that the government was working with security agencies, local leaders and other stakeholders to secure the safe return of all abducted students and staff. According to the official report presented during the visit, 39 people were affected by the attack, including three teaching staff and 36 students, made up of 25 girls and 11 boys across SS1, SS2 and SS3 classes.
