Parents confirm 36 students missing as protest forces officials out

Parents in Lassa community, Askira-Uba Local Government Area of Borno State, have confirmed that 36 students remain missing following Monday’s terrorist attack on Government Day Secondary School, Lassa, as angry youths disrupted a government delegation’s visit to the community.

The attack, reportedly carried out by suspected ISWAP insurgents during an ongoing National Examinations Council (NECO) examination, claimed the lives of two teachers and led to the abduction of several students.

On Tuesday, a high-powered delegation sent by Governor Babagana Umara Zulum, led by the Commissioner for Education, Science, Technology and Innovation, Lawan Abba Wakilbe, visited the community to sympathise with victims and assess the situation.

However, the delegation was met by angry youths and grieving parents who rejected official remarks and demanded the immediate rescue of the abducted students.

“We don’t want any talk. Go and bring back our children,” the protesters repeatedly shouted, preventing the commissioner from addressing the gathering.

The delegation was eventually escorted out of the community by the protesters, who also chanted, “Don’t play politics with our children,” expressing frustration over the government’s response to the incident.

Meanwhile, parents have begun registering the names of children still unaccounted for.

A parent, Mbula Bura, said his 19-year-old daughter, Esther Mbula, was among the missing students.

“Parents whose children have not returned were asked to register their names. So far, 36 students have been listed as missing,” he said.

Another parent, Emmanuel Dari, said his 16-year-old daughter, Lucy Emmanuel, who is in SS2, had not been seen since the attack.

“She was writing her examination when the terrorists invaded the school. Since then, our family has been living in fear and uncertainty,” he said.

Resident Bitrus Milnda also confirmed that two of his relatives, Martha Wajau and Abori Ujulu, both SS1 students, were among those abducted.

Earlier, the Nigerian Army said troops of Operation Hadin Kai, supported by air surveillance, rescued 10 victims, including students and teachers, during a search-and-rescue operation. The military also confirmed that two security personnel were killed during the rescue effort.

The Borno State Commissioner for Information and Internal Security, Usman Tar, said efforts were continuing to secure the release of the remaining abductees.

Schools Closed

Following the attack, the Borno State Government ordered the temporary closure of schools in Lassa, Dille and Chul communities as a precautionary measure.

Governor Zulum directed the education commissioner to lead a delegation to Lassa, where officials met with parents, community leaders, security agencies and education stakeholders.

According to the governor’s spokesperson, Dauda Iliya, the stakeholders resolved that schools in the affected communities should remain closed pending improvements in the security situation.

Students currently writing external examinations will, however, be relocated to Government Secondary School, Uba, to complete their examinations without interruption.

The Chairman of Askira-Uba Local Government, Mada Saidu, presented the official list of victims during the meeting, confirming that 39 people were affected in the attack, comprising three members of staff and 36 students.

The report showed that the missing students include 25 girls and 11 boys from SS1, SS2 and SS3.

The state government assured residents that security agencies were working tirelessly to rescue the abducted students and strengthen security around schools to prevent future attacks.