Suspected Boko Haram insurgents on Monday attacked Lassa town in Askira/Uba Local Government Area of Borno State, abducting an unspecified number of students sitting the ongoing National Examinations Council (NECO) examinations, alongside several teachers, while killing at least one educator.
The attack occurred on a busy market day, throwing the community into panic as heavily armed terrorists, reportedly dressed in military camouflage and riding motorcycles, stormed the town, firing sporadically and moving through the area unchallenged.
According to eyewitnesses, the insurgents invaded the examination centre while candidates were writing their NECO papers, forcibly taking away several students and teachers to an unknown destination.
Residents said at least one teacher was shot dead during the assault, although the exact number of casualties and abductees remains uncertain as families and local volunteers continue searching for missing persons.
The incident has sparked outrage among residents, who alleged that troops stationed in the area were absent when the attack occurred. According to community sources, the soldiers had reportedly departed on a routine patrol to nearby Uba, about 16 kilometres from Lassa, shortly before 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 examinations and their teachers," an eyewitness recounted.
The latest attack underscores the persistent security challenges facing communities in Borno State despite ongoing military operations against insurgent groups in Nigeria's North-East.
As of the time of filing this report, security authorities had yet to issue an official statement on the attack or confirm the number of victims. Efforts are reportedly underway to locate the abducted students and teachers while residents continue to assess the full extent of the devastation.
