Parents say dozens of children remain unaccounted for after terrorists stormed a secondary school during the NECO examination in Borno State.
Fresh concerns have emerged in Borno State after parents revealed that at least 37 students are still missing following the terrorist attack on Government Day Secondary School in Lassa, Askira/Uba Local Government Area.
The attack occurred on Monday while students were sitting for the ongoing National Examinations Council (NECO) examination. During the assault, gunmen reportedly killed two teachers and abducted several students, throwing families into fear and uncertainty.
According to parents, the Borno State Government has opened a register for families to report missing relatives. One of the affected parents, Mbula Bura, whose 19-year-old daughter, Esther, is among those yet to be found, said 37 names had so far been recorded on the missing persons register.
Another parent, Emmanuel Dari, said his 16-year-old daughter, Lucy, was taken from her classroom during the attack. He explained that although reports of a rescue operation initially gave families hope, many parents later discovered that their children had not been among those rescued.
“Our joy was short-lived because my daughter was not among those brought back,” he said, adding that many other parents were facing
the same painful situation.Residents have also confirmed that more children remain in captivity. A local resident, Bitrus Milnda, disclosed that two of his relatives, Martha Wajau and Abori Ujulu, both Senior Secondary School One (SSS1) students, were among those abducted.
Meanwhile, the Borno State Commissioner for Education, Lawan Wakilbe, reportedly visited the affected community to assess the situation and sympathise with grieving families.
Earlier, the Nigerian Army announced the successful rescue of 10 abducted students and teachers during a coordinated operation carried out by troops of Operation Hadin Kai with support from the Air Component.
According to the military, security forces tracked the attackers to the Daggu area, engaged them in a gun battle and rescued the victims unharmed. The operation also led to the recovery of seven motorcycles believed to have been used by the terrorists.
However, the military confirmed that the rescue mission came at a heavy cost, as one soldier and a member of the Civilian Joint Task Force lost their lives during the exchange of fire.
Security agencies say efforts are continuing to locate the remaining missing students and ensure those responsible for the attack are brought to justice.
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