BREAKING: Terrorists invade Borno school, kidnap students writing NECO

Gunmen suspected to be members of Boko Haram and the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) on Monday attacked Government Day Secondary School in Lassa, Askira/Uba Local Government Area of Borno State, abducting an unspecified number of students writing the ongoing National Examinations Council (NECO) examinations.

The attackers reportedly stormed the school at about 9 a.m., firing sporadically into the air and causing panic among students, teachers and residents before whisking an unknown number of candidates into the bush.

A teacher was reportedly killed during the attack, while another sustained injuries.

Confirming the incident, the spokesperson for the Borno State Police Command, ASP Nahum Daso, said several students remain unaccounted for.

“At about 9 a.m., an unspecified number of Boko Haram and ISWAP terrorists attacked a secondary school and shot sporadically into the air. During the attack, an unspecified number of students were abducted, while some are still missing,” Daso said.

He added that the command could not immediately confirm reports of fatalities among the victims.

Daso said security operatives, including the military, the Civilian Joint Task Force (CJTF), and the Area Commander in Askira/Uba, have launched a coordinated search-and-rescue operation.

According to him, security personnel are combing the surrounding forests in an effort to locate the abducted students and apprehend the attackers.

More details are expected.