Boko Haram abducts NECO candidates, teachers, kills tutor in Borno

Suspected Boko Haram insurgents on Monday attacked Lassa town in Askira/Uba Local Government Area of Borno State, abducting several students writing the ongoing National Examinations Council (NECO) examinations and their teachers, while killing at least one teacher.

The attackers, reportedly dressed in military camouflage and riding motorcycles, stormed the community on a busy market day, firing sporadically and causing residents to flee.

Sahara Reporters reported that the insurgents targeted the examination centre, abducting an unspecified number of NECO candidates and teachers before escaping to an unknown destination.

At least one teacher was reportedly killed during the attack, although the exact number of casualties and missing persons has yet to be confirmed as search efforts continue.

Residents alleged that troops stationed in the area were away on a patrol to nearby Uba when the attackers struck, leaving the community vulnerable.

“The soldiers were not around when the terrorists invaded. They came in large numbers, shooting indiscriminately and causing panic. They took away students writing NECO and their teachers,” a resident said.

Efforts to obtain an official response from the Borno State Police Command were unsuccessful as of the time of filing this report.

The latest attack has heightened concerns over the security of communities in southern Borno, where insurgents continue to launch deadly raids despite ongoing military operations against terrorist groups.