Gunmen Abduct Students During School Examination in Nigeria
Security forces rescue 10 victims as search continues for abducted students in Borno State.
- Gunmen abducted students during exams.
- Ten victims were rescued by security forces.
- Search operations are ongoing for the missing.
Armed men attacked the Technical Secondary School in Lassa, located in Nigeria’s Borno State, on Monday, abducting an unknown number of students as they sat for national examinations. Witnesses said the attackers fired gunshots after entering the school, forcing the examinations to be suspended and sending students and staff into panic.
Security forces from Operation HADIN KAI responded quickly and engaged the attackers in a gun battle near the DAGGU area. The military said 10 victims, including students and teachers, were rescued safely during the operation. However, one soldier and a member of a local security support group were killed. Troops also recovered seven motorcycles believed to have been used by the attackers, while efforts continue to locate other missing victims.
Authorities have not confirmed the exact number of people kidnapped. Police said investigations are ongoing, while Amnesty International Nigeria reported that two teachers and one student were killed during the attack. Security agencies have launched search operations in nearby forests to track down the gunmen and rescue those still missing.
The latest attack highlights the continuing insecurity in northeastern Nigeria, where militant groups such as Boko Haram and the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) have carried out violent attacks for more than a decade. The conflict has claimed thousands of lives, displaced millions of people, and repeatedly targeted schools and other public institutions.
Human rights groups have condemned the attack and called on the Nigerian government to strengthen security around schools. They stressed that children should be able to pursue their education without fear, while experts say lasting peace in the region will require stronger security measures alongside community development and support for affected families.
