Gunmen stormed a secondary school in northeastern Nigeria and abducted at least 36 students on Sunday (June 28), raising fresh fears over the safety of children in a region that has endured years of attacks by Islamist extremist groups.
The students were taking their final secondary school examinations when armed men raided Government Day Secondary School in Lassa, in Borno state's Askira-Uba area. Authorities said at least one staff member also remains in captivity, while several others were rescued in the hours after the attack.
Borno State Commissioner for Education Lawan Abba Wakilbe said 25 girls, 11 boys and one staff member were still being held after the attack. He added that eight people, including the school's vice principal, had been rescued as security forces continued search operations.
The attack has once again highlighted the persistent threat facing schools across northeastern Nigeria, where extremist groups have repeatedly targeted students, teachers and education facilities over the past decade.
A statement from the office of Borno State Governor Babagana Zulum said 36 students and three teachers were initially reported missing following the raid. Officials later said they were working to establish the status of the missing teachers while coordinating rescue efforts with security agencies and local community leaders.
Wakilbe described the attack as "unfortunate" and said authorities were doing everything possible to secure the safe return of those still missing.
“The authorities are working with security agencies and community leaders to ensure the safe return of the missing students and staff,” he said.
No group immediately claimed responsibility for the attack. However, officials and security analysts say the assault bears the hallmarks of the insurgency carried out by Boko Haram and its splinter faction, the Islamic State West Africa Province, or ISWAP. Both groups have operated for years across northeastern Nigeria and the Lake Chad region, carrying out attacks on civilians, military positions, villages and schools.
The latest kidnapping comes despite continued military operations aimed at weakening the insurgents.
Earlier this month, Nigerian troops rescued more than 300 people from Boko Haram captivity in nearby Ngoshe, about 114 kilometers from Lassa. In May, Nigerian authorities said a joint operation with the United States killed 175 ISWAP fighters. Despite those gains, the latest school raid underscores the militants' continued ability to launch attacks in vulnerable communities.
Schools have remained frequent targets throughout the insurgency. Extremist groups have repeatedly attacked classrooms, dormitories and boarding schools, arguing that Western-style education should be rejected. Thousands of people have been killed since the insurgency began, while millions have been displaced across Nigeria and neighboring countries including Chad, Niger and Cameroon.
Human rights groups have repeatedly urged the Nigerian government to strengthen security around schools and protect children from further attacks.
Following Monday's assault, Amnesty International Nigeria condemned the violence and called for stronger safeguards for students.
“Schools should be places of safety, and no child should have to choose between their education and their life,” Amnesty International Nigeria said. “The protection of children's lives is paramount, and the Nigerian government has a duty to ensure that the country's educational sector is not further threatened by armed groups on rampage across northern Nigeria.”
The attack occurred as students between the ages of 15 and 18 were sitting for their secondary school leaving examinations, making the raid particularly traumatic for families already living under the shadow of insecurity.
Parents and residents in Lassa have anxiously awaited news of the missing children as security forces continue search operations across surrounding communities and forests.
Authorities have not said whether contact has been made with the abductors or whether any ransom demands have been received.
Governor Zulum has dispatched senior government officials to Lassa to support affected families and coordinate the emergency response. Officials say they are working closely with security agencies and local leaders in hopes of securing the safe return of the remaining captives.
