Suspected bandits attacked a secondary school in Borno State during the ongoing NECO examination, killing a teacher and abducting several candidates as security agencies launched a rescue operation.
Suspected bandits abducted NECO candidates in Borno after attacking Government Day Secondary School in Lassa, Askira/Uba Local Government Area. The assailants also killed a teacher during the ongoing National Examinations Council (NECO) Senior School Certificate Examination.
The attack happened on Monday morning while candidates were writing their examination. As a result, panic spread across the school and the surrounding community. Witnesses said the gunmen fired repeatedly before taking an unspecified number of students away.
Residents said one teacher died in the attack, while another suffered gunshot injuries. Meanwhile, they alleged that soldiers stationed in the area had left on a patrol to nearby Uba, about 16 kilometres away, shortly before the gunmen arrived. According to eyewitnesses, the attackers took advantage of the security gap to carry out the raid.
Furthermore, one resident claimed the gunmen arrived in large numbers and surrounded the school.
They reportedly fired continuously to create fear before abducting several students and some teachers from the examination centre.
The spokesperson for the Borno State Police Command, Nahum Daso, confirmed the incident. However, he said authorities had not established the exact number of missing students. He added that security agencies were working to verify the figures while rescue efforts continued.
Following the attack, security operatives launched a manhunt for the gunmen. In addition, they intensified efforts to rescue the abducted students.
Investigators are also working to determine the full circumstances surrounding the incident.
The attack in which bandits abducted NECO candidates in Borno has renewed concerns about the safety of schools in conflict-affected communities.
Consequently, residents have called for stronger security around schools, especially during national examinations. They believe improved protection will help prevent similar attacks in the future.
According to Daily Post,Although rescue efforts are ongoing, families continue to wait for updates on the missing students.
