Boko Haram Terrorists Abduct Students Taking NECO Exam In Borno, Kill Teacher
Suspected Boko Haram insurgents on Monday invaded Lassa community in Askira/Uba Local Government Area of Borno State, abducting an unspecified number of students writing the ongoing National Examinations Council (NECO) examinations and several teachers, while killing at least one teacher during the attack.
The terrorists reportedly stormed the town on motorcycles during a busy market day, unleashing panic as residents fled for safety. Witnesses said the attackers, dressed in military camouflage, moved through the community unchallenged and targeted the examination centre where candidates were sitting for their papers.
According to reports, the insurgents forcefully took away several students and teachers to an undisclosed location. The exact number of those abducted could not be immediately ascertained, as many families were still searching for missing relatives and loved ones.
A teacher was reportedly shot dead during the raid, although officials have yet to confirm the casualty figure.
Residents blamed the success of the attack on the absence of security personnel, alleging that soldiers stationed in the area had departed for a patrol operation in nearby Uba, about 16 kilometres from Lassa, shortly before the insurgents struck.
"The soldiers were not in town when the terrorists came. They arrived in large numbers, shooting sporadically and causing confusion everywhere. They took away students writing NECO and some of their teachers,” a resident said.
The assault has triggered fresh concerns over the safety of schools and examination centres in conflict-affected communities across Borno State, where insurgent groups continue to stage deadly attacks despite years of military operations aimed at restoring peace.
The latest incident also highlights the persistent insecurity in southern Borno, with residents calling on security agencies to intensify efforts to protect vulnerable communities and secure the release of those abducted.