Borno school abduction: Zulum orders closures of schools in affected communities

…assures safe return of abducted students

Governor Babagana Zulum, on Tuesday, said that following extensive deliberations, he has resolved to temporarily close all schools in the Dille, Lassa, and Chul communities as a precautionary security measure in the Askira-Uba Local Government Area of Borno State.

This is coming after 24 hours when the terrorists invaded the Lassa Secondary School, where students were writing the biology examination of the National Examinations Council, and abducted 36 students and other women.

Lawan Abba Wakilbe, the high-powered delegation was led by the Commissioner for Education, Science, Technology and Innovation, to visit Lassa town in Askira/Uba Local Government Area following Monday’s insurgent attack on Government Day Secondary School, Lassa.

Zulum reaffirmed the administration’s commitment to strengthening security around educational institutions, supporting affected families, and ensuring the safe return of all 36 missing students.

Upon arrival in Lassa, the delegation met with parents of the affected students, many of whom expressed deep concern over the safety and whereabouts of their children.

Wakilbe conveyed Zulum’s sympathy and assured them that the state government was working closely with security agencies, community leaders, and other relevant stakeholders to ensure the safe return of the missing students and staff.

“On behalf of Babagana Zulum, I would like to extend our sympathy over this unfortunate incident. Let me assure you that efforts are ongoing by security agencies, government authorities, community leaders, and other stakeholders to trace and safely reunite the missing students and staff with their families,” Wakilbe stated.

“Following extensive deliberations, the meeting resolved to temporarily close all schools in Dille, Lassa and Chul communities as a precautionary security measure.

However, students sitting for ongoing examinations will be relocated to Government Secondary School, Uba, to enable them to continue their academic activities without disruption.

During the meeting, the Chairman of Askira/Uba Local Government, Mada Saidu, formally presented the compiled list of victims of the attack to the delegation.

According to the report, a total of 39 persons from Government Day Secondary School, Lassa, were affected, comprising three teaching staff and 36 students.

The report further indicated that the 36 missing students include 25 females and 11 males drawn from Senior Secondary School One (SS1), Senior Secondary School Two (SS2) and Senior Secondary School Three (SS3).

The delegation commended the resilience and cooperation of the affected communities.