Tension gripped Lassa community in Askira-Uba Local Government Area of Borno State on Tuesday as parents declared that at least 36 students remain missing following Monday’s terrorist attack on Government Day Secondary School, Lassa.
The attack, allegedly carried out by suspected ISWAP fighters during an ongoing National Examinations Council (NECO) examination, left two teachers dead while several students were abducted.
Anger boiled over when a state government delegation led by the Commissioner for Education, Science and Technology, Lawan Abba Wakilbe, visited the community to sympathise with victims’ families.
The delegation was confronted by protesting youths and relatives of the abducted students, who rejected the government’s address and demanded immediate action to rescue the children.
“We don’t want any talk, just go and bring back our children,” the protesters repeatedly chanted as the delegation struggled to calm the crowd.
The officials were eventually forced to abandon their address and leave the community under escort as demonstrators, some carrying placards, accused the government of politicising the tragedy.
Some of the protesters also chanted, “Don’t play politics with our children,” expressing frustration over the continued captivity of the students.
Meanwhile, parents have begun compiling the names of missing children at the request of authorities, with at least 36 students confirmed unaccounted for.
One of the parents, Mbula Bura, said his 19-year-old daughter, Esther Mbula, was among those still missing.
“Parents whose children could not be found were asked to register their names. So far, 36 students have been listed,” he said.
Another parent, Emmanuel Dari, said his 16-year-old daughter, Lucy Emmanuel, an SS2 student, had not been seen since the attack.
“She was writing her examination when the terrorists struck. Since yesterday, we have not slept because of the uncertainty,” he lamented.
Resident Bitrus Milnda also confirmed that two of his relatives, Martha Wajau and Abori Ujulu, both SS1 students, were among those abducted.
Earlier, troops of Operation Hadin Kai, supported by air surveillance, rescued 10 victims, including students and teachers, during a search-and-rescue operation. The military, however, disclosed that two security personnel lost their lives during the operation.
The Borno State Commissioner for Information and Internal Security, Usman Tar, said efforts were ongoing to rescue the remaining abductees, although the exact number was still being verified.
Schools Shut
In response to the attack, the Borno State Government has ordered the temporary closure of schools in Lassa, Dille and Chul communities as a precautionary measure.
Governor Babagana Umara Zulum directed a high-powered delegation to visit Lassa, where officials met with parents and other stakeholders to assess the situation.
Governor Zulum, through the delegation, assured families that the government was working closely with security agencies and community leaders to secure the safe return of all missing students and staff.
Following an emergency stakeholders’ meeting involving education officials, security agencies and local government authorities, it was resolved that schools in the affected communities would remain closed until further notice.
However, students participating in ongoing external examinations will be relocated to Government Secondary School, Uba, to complete their examinations.
The Chairman of Askira-Uba Local Government, Mada Saidu, presented the official list of victims to the delegation, confirming that 39 people were affected in the attack, comprising three members of staff and 36 students.
According to the report, the missing students include 25 girls and 11 boys drawn from SS1, SS2 and SS3.
The state government reaffirmed its commitment to strengthening security around schools, supporting affected families and ensuring the safe return of all abducted students.
