Suspected Boko Haram terrorists on Monday abducted students sitting the ongoing National Examinations Council (NECO) examinations and several teachers, and killing at least one teacher, in Lassa town, Askira/Uba Local Government Area of Borno State.
The attack occurred on a busy market day as heavily armed insurgents, dressed in military camouflage and riding motorcycles, reportedly swept through the town unchallenged, accordong to SaharaReporters.
Eyewitnesses said the terrorists targeted the community while students were sitting their NECO examinations, whisking away an unspecified number of candidates and teachers to an unknown destination.
Sources said at least one teacher was shot dead during the assault, although the exact casualty figure remains unclear as residents continue to search for missing persons.
The incident has sparked outrage among residents, who alleged that troops of the Nigerian military stationed in the area had reportedly left on a 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.
Efforts to reach the spokesperson of the Borno State Police Command, ASP Nahum Kenneth Daso, for comment were unsuccessful.
