Borno school attack: Parents protest, demand rescue of abducted students

Parents and residents of Lassa in Askira/Uba Local Government Area of Borno on Wednesday staged a peaceful protest, calling on President Bola Tinubu, Governor Babagana Umara Zulum and the Nigerian Army to intensify efforts to rescue students and a teacher still in captivity following Monday’s attack on Government Day Secondary School, Lassa.

The protesters said 36 students and a teacher remained in captivity, urging the authorities to step up efforts to secure their safe return.

The protest coincided with the visit of a high-powered Borno State Government delegation led by the Commissioner for Education, Science, Technology and Innovation, Engr. Lawan Abba Wakilbe, to victims, affected families and community leaders on the directive of Governor Zulum.

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Speaking during the visit, one of the parents said the safe return of the abducted children remained the family’s overriding concern.

“Our main concern is the rescue of our children and the provision of adequate security in our community because we are still living in fear since the abduction of our children,” the parent said.

Speaking on behalf of the affected families, Mr Emmanuel Ayuba and Rev. Simon Wayindu appealed to the government to intensify efforts to secure the speedy rescue of the abducted students, describing the emotional trauma and uncertainty the families had endured since the attack.

Addressing the parents at the palace of the Emir of Uba, Alhaji Aliyu Ibn Samaila Mamza, Wakilbe assured them that the government had not relented in its efforts to rescue the victims.

“We understand the pain and anguish the families are going through. I want to assure you that the government has not relented. We are working closely with security agencies and all relevant stakeholders to ensure the safe rescue and reunification of the abducted students with their families,” he said.

The commissioner described the attack as unfortunate and reaffirmed the state’s commitment to securing the release of those still in captivity.

He confirmed that one teacher was killed in the attack, another sustained critical injuries, while another teacher remained in captivity. According to him, the abductees comprised 25 female and 11 male students.

Earlier, the delegation visited the Federal Medical Centre, Mubi, where a teacher who sustained a gunshot wound to the head during the attack is receiving treatment. The Chief Medical Director of the hospital, Prof. Shuaibu Jauro Yahya, said the teacher was in stable condition but would require advanced medical attention.

The delegation also visited Mussa Community, where students were abducted during a separate school attack on May 15, 2026, and assured affected families that efforts to secure the release of the victims remained ongoing.

Responding on behalf of the affected families in Mussa, Mr Ishaku Jidayi appealed to the government to accelerate rescue efforts and reunite the abducted children with their families.

Also speaking, the Emir of Uba urged parents and residents to remain calm, assuring them that security agencies were working to rescue the remaining victims. He appealed to the protesters to end the demonstration and continue praying for the safe return of the abducted students and teacher.

Suspected Boko Haram insurgents attacked Government Day Secondary School, Lassa, on Monday while students were writing the National Examinations Council (NECO) Senior School Certificate Examination, abducting students and teachers.