Suspected Boko Haram terrorists on Monday attacked Lassa community in Askira/Uba Local Government Area of Borno State, abducting students sitting the ongoing National Examinations Council (NECO) examinations and several teachers, while killing one teacher during the assault.
According to reports, the attack occurred on a market day when heavily armed insurgents, reportedly dressed in military camouflage and riding motorcycles, stormed the community, causing panic among residents.
Eyewitnesses said the attackers targeted the town while students were writing their NECO examinations, abducting an unspecified number of candidates and teachers and taking them to an unknown location.
They added that at least one teacher was shot dead during the attack, while the exact number of those abducted has yet to be confirmed.
Residents alleged that troops stationed in the area were away on patrol to nearby Uba, about 16 kilometres from Lassa, when the insurgents struck.
“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.
The attack comes as the Oyo State Government and the Federal Government continue efforts to secure the release of pupils and teachers abducted from schools in parts of Oyo State.
