Gunmen have abducted an unspecified number of students from Government Day Secondary School in Lassa, Askira/Uba LGA of Borno State, while the victims were writing the Senior School Certificate Examination (SSCE) conducted by the National Examinations Council (NECO).
Gatekeepers News reports that the attack reportedly occurred on Monday morning when armed assailants stormed the school and opened fire, causing panic among students, teachers and residents. Witnesses said several students were taken into nearby bush paths during the assault.
The Borno State Police Command confirmed the incident, stating that security personnel had been deployed to the area while efforts were ongoing to determine the exact number of students abducted and rescue those still missing.
Reports indicate that some victims have already been rescued by security forces. Police authorities said search-and-rescue operations remain underway to locate the remaining abducted students and restore normalcy in the community.
Reacting to the incident, Senator Ali Ndume, who represents Borno South, said the fresh abduction highlights the need for stronger measures to address insecurity in the region. He urged the federal government to intensify efforts to protect schools and communities from attacks by armed groups.
The latest attack adds to concerns over the safety of schools in Nigeria’s north-east, where insurgent and criminal groups have repeatedly targeted educational institutions and students.
