Boko Haram Abducts NECO Candidates, Teachers During Attack on Borno Community Suspected Boko Haram insurgents have abducted several students sitting the ongoing National Examinations Council (NECO) examination, along with their teachers, after attacking Lassa town in Askira/Uba Local Government Area of Borno State. The Borno State Police Command confirmed the incident on Monday, saying the terrorists struck the community between 9:00 a.m. and 9:30 a.m. while the examination was in progress. Police Public Relations Officer, ASP Nuhu Kenneth Daso, said the assailants invaded the town during the busy market day, causing panic as they fired sporadically before whisking away an unspecified number of students and teachers. According to eyewitnesses, the attackers arrived on motorcycles and were dressed in military camouflage, a tactic believed to have been used to deceive residents and gain easier access to the community. Although the exact number of victims remains unknown, local sources alleged that at least one teacher was killed during the attack. However, the police said they were yet to verify the reported fatality. “Yes, there was an attack on Lassa today around 9:00 to 9:30 in the morning where students and teachers were abducted. As of now, the number of those abducted is unspecified. On the fatalities, honestly, I do not have details yet,” Daso stated. He disclosed that security operatives had immediately launched a rescue operation, with a joint team of police and military personnel pursuing the terrorists through nearby bushes in an effort to recover the abducted victims. “The Area Commander in Askira/Uba has mobilised troops comprising the police and the military who are now on the chase of the terrorists in the surrounding bushes to rescue the victims,” he added. The latest attack has renewed concerns over the deteriorating security situation in Nigeria’s North-East, where schools and students continue to face threats from insurgent groups despite repeated assurances from the Federal Government that the insurgency has been significantly weakened. The abduction of candidates during a national examination has also raised fresh questions about the safety of educational institutions in conflict-affected areas and the government’s ability to protect children and teachers pursuing education amid persistent insecurity.

 

Suspected Boko Haram insurgents have abducted several students sitting the ongoing National Examinations Council (NECO) examination, along with their teachers, after attacking Lassa town in Askira/Uba Local Government Area of Borno State.

The Borno State Police Command confirmed the incident on Monday, saying the terrorists struck the community between 9:00 a.m. and 9:30 a.m. while the examination was in progress.

Police Public Relations Officer, ASP Nuhu Kenneth Daso, said the assailants invaded the town during the busy market day, causing panic as they fired sporadically before whisking away an unspecified number of students and teachers.

According to eyewitnesses, the attackers arrived on motorcycles and were dressed in military camouflage, a tactic believed to have been used to deceive residents and gain easier access to the community.

Although the exact number of victims remains unknown, local sources alleged that at least one teacher was killed during the attack. However, the police said they were yet to verify the reported fatality.

“Yes, there was an attack on Lassa today around

9:00 to 9:30 in the morning where students and teachers were abducted. As of now, the number of those abducted is unspecified. On the fatalities, honestly, I do not have details yet,” Daso stated.

He disclosed that security operatives had immediately launched a rescue operation, with a joint team of police and military personnel pursuing the terrorists through nearby bushes in an effort to recover the abducted victims.

“The Area Commander in Askira/Uba has mobilised troops comprising the police and the military who are now on the chase of the terrorists in the surrounding bushes to rescue the victims,” he added.

The latest attack has renewed concerns over the deteriorating security situation in Nigeria’s North-East, where schools and students continue to face threats from insurgent groups despite repeated assurances from the Federal Government that the insurgency has been significantly weakened.

The abduction of candidates during a national examination has also raised fresh questions about the safety of educational institutions in conflict-affected areas and the government’s ability to protect children and teachers pursuing education amid persistent insecurity.