Lead

At least 37 students are missing after an attack on a secondary school in the northeastern Nigerian town of Lassa, Borno State, according to local officials and parents. The assault occurred on Monday morning while students were sitting for the National Examinations Council (NECO) examinations, and it has triggered a search-and-rescue operation involving police, the military, and local vigilante groups.

Coverage Comparison

Reports of the number of missing students vary, with some officials initially giving lower figures. The councillor representing Lassa Ward, Jagila Jabila, told PREMIUM TIMES on Tuesday that 35 students were missing, based on a list being compiled by community leaders and parents, and that the figure could change as reconciliation continues. However, other sources, including a list shared with journalists by the area's local government councillor, Ijagla Ijabila, and an intelligence source, indicated that at least 37 students remained missing. Parents, speaking to PREMIUM TIMES, said 37 names had been registered as missing with the state government, and Borno Commissioner for Education Lawan Abba Wakilbe reported that 25 female students, 11 male students, and one staff member were still being held.

There are also conflicting accounts of the number of teachers killed. One report, attributed to AllAfrica, said two teachers were killed during the attack, while another, also from AllAfrica, said one teacher was killed and another sustained gunshot injuries. The military initially reported that three people were killed, including a soldier and a teacher, and that 10 victims had been rescued. However, the councillor disputed claims that all abducted students had been rescued, saying that only seven students and one teacher had been freed at the time.

Key Claims

  • At least 37 students are missing after the attack, according to a list shared by local officials and parent registrations with the state government.
  • The attack occurred during NECO examinations, as students were preparing to sit for the ongoing exams.
  • Gunmen disguised themselves as traders, exploiting Lassa's market day to gain access to the community, according to police spokesperson Nahum Daso.
  • One teacher was killed and another injured during the assault, as reported by police.
  • ISWAP claimed responsibility for the attack.
  • A rescue operation is ongoing, involving police, military, and Civilian Joint Task Force (CJTF) personnel.
  • Two teachers were killed, according to one source, though this figure conflicts with other reports.
  • Three people were killed, including a soldier and a teacher, according to the military.

Perspectives

Borno State Police Command

The police spokesperson, Daso Kenneth (also referred to as Nahum Daso), confirmed the abduction of an unspecified number of students at the Government Day Secondary School in Lassa. He explained that a combined effort by the police, the military, and the Civilian Joint Task Force helped save other students, and that security personnel were on the trail of the insurgents, combing the area for possible chances of rescuing the hostages.

Local Officials and Parents

The councillor representing Lassa Ward, Jagila Jabila, dismissed social media reports claiming that all abducted students had been rescued, stating, "It is not true." She said that community leaders and parents were compiling the list of missing students and that the figure could change. Parents expressed panic and confusion, with one parent, Emmanuel Dari, saying, "When I heard about the attack, we were confused. Later, I became happy when I heard about the rescue. However, when I got there, neither my daughter nor many other parents' children could be found."

Military

The Acting Military Information Officer for the North-East Joint Task Force, Operation Hadin Kai, Captain Muhammed Goni, said in a statement that two security operatives, including a soldier and a member of the Civilian Joint Task Force, were killed during the rescue operation, and that 10 victims were rescued unhurt by ground troops with support from air platforms.

NECO Spokesperson

NECO spokesperson Azeez Sani told PREMIUM TIMES that the examination body was not aware of the development and could not speak about it.