The Borno State Government has ordered the temporary closure of schools in Dille, Lassa and Chul communities following the abduction of students from Government Day Secondary School, Lassa.
The decision was disclosed on Tuesday by the spokesperson to the state governor, Dauda Iliya.
According to Iliya, the directive followed a stakeholders’ meeting held during the visit of a high-powered government delegation to Lassa town.
He said reports presented at the meeting showed that 36 students were still missing.
“Borno State Governor, Professor Babagana Umara Zulum, on Tuesday dispatched a high-powered delegation to Lassa town in Askira/Uba Local Government Area following Monday’s insurgent attack on Government Day Secondary School, Lassa,” the statement read.
The delegation was led by the Commissioner for Education, Science, Technology and Innovation, Lawan Abba Wakilbe.
Iliya said the delegation met with parents of the affected students, many of whom expressed concern over the safety and whereabouts of their children.
“Addressing the parents, the team leader, Wakilbe, conveyed Governor Zulum’s sympathy and assured them that the state government was working closely with security agencies, community leaders and other relevant stakeholders to ensure the safe return of the missing students and staff,” he said.
He added that an emergency meeting later resolved to temporarily close schools in the three affected communities as a precautionary measure.
However, students currently sitting for ongoing examinations will be relocated to Government Secondary School, Uba, to enable them continue their examinations without disruption.
The Chairman of Askira/Uba Local Government Area, Mada Saidu, presented a report indicating that 39 people were affected by the attack, comprising three teachers and 36 students.
“The report further indicated that the 36 missing students include 25 females and 11 males drawn from Senior Secondary School One, Senior Secondary School Two and Senior Secondary School Three,” Iliya stated.
