Borno School Attack: Seven rescued as search for abducted NECO students continues

By Tolulope Oke

Security operatives have rescued seven victims abducted during Monday’s attack on Lassa Day Secondary School in Askira/Uba Local Government Area of Borno State.

The victims were among those taken away when suspected ISWAP terrorists stormed the school while students were sitting for the National Examinations Council, NECO, examination.

The attackers reportedly arrived on motorcycles around 9am, shot sporadically and abducted some students, as well as women selling food items within the school premises.

The rescue was carried out by a joint team of the Army, Police and local Civilian Joint Task Force.

Borno State Commissioner for Information and Internal Security, Usman Tar, confirmed the development on Monday.

“For now, seven of them have been rescued. We cannot confirm their gender yet. Assessment is still ongoing,” Tar said.

The commissioner said efforts were still ongoing to rescue the remaining abductees.

He added that the total number of missing students had not yet been confirmed.

“We have sent a delegation to the community to assess the situation and build confidence in the minds of the residents,” he said.

The Borno State Police Command had earlier confirmed the attack, saying security operatives confronted the terrorists and prevented what could have been a larger abduction.

The command’s spokesperson, Nahum Daso, said the attackers invaded Lassa Day Secondary School around 9am.

“Around 9am, ISWAP attacked Lassa Day Secondary School. They shot sporadically. An unspecified number of students have been abducted,” Daso said.

The latest rescue operation comes amid ongoing search efforts in nearby bushes and surrounding communities.

The attack has again raised concerns over the safety of schools in Borno communities vulnerable to terrorist attacks.