JUST IN: BH Insurgents Attack Borno Community, Kill Teacher, Abduct NECO Candidates

By Sabiu Abdullahi

Suspected Boko Haram insurgents have attacked Lassa town in Askira/Uba Local Government Area of Borno State, where they reportedly abducted students writing the ongoing National Examinations Council (NECO) examination alongside some teachers.

The assault reportedly happened on Monday during a market day in the community. Residents said the attackers arrived in large numbers on motorcycles and wore military camouflage.

According to eyewitnesses, the gunmen invaded the town while students were taking their examinations. They allegedly took away several candidates and teachers to an undisclosed location.

Sources within the area also disclosed that at least one teacher lost his life during the attack. However, the exact number of casualties and abducted persons has yet to be confirmed, as some residents are still searching for missing relatives.

Residents accused security personnel stationed in the area of being absent when the attack occurred. They claimed soldiers had travelled to nearby Uba, which is about 16 kilometres from Lassa, before the insurgents entered the town.

“The soldiers were not around when the terrorists invaded. They came in large numbers, firing sporadically and causing panic everywhere. They took away students writing NECO and their teachers,” an eyewitness said.

Attempts to get a reaction from the spokesperson of the Borno State Police Command, ASP Nahum Kenneth Daso, were unsuccessful as calls to his mobile phone did not connect.

The incident has raised fresh concerns over insecurity in parts of southern Borno State despite ongoing military operations against insurgent groups in the region.