Government Day Secondary School, Lassa, in Askira/Uba Local Government Area of Borno State, have released the names of the students who were abducted by Boko Haram while writing the ongoing National Examinations Council (NECO) Senior School Certificate Examination during Monday’s attack.
TheNewsGuru reports that the school authorities confirmed that 36 candidates remain in captivity. The missing students comprise 25 female and 11 male candidates.
The list, which was seen on Tuesday, provides the first comprehensive account of those still unaccounted for following the brazen attack that once again exposed the vulnerability of schools in Nigeria’s insurgency-ravaged North-East.
The list shows that even though security forces launched a rescue operation soon after the attack, only seven abductees have been freed so far. The people rescued include five female students and two teachers.
One of the rescued teachers disclosed that 43 people were initially taken, including 41 students and 2 teachers. This means 36 students are still being held by Boko Haram.
Earlier, troops from Operation HADIN KAI, supported by Nigerian Air Force surveillance and strike aircraft, chased the fleeing terrorists into the bush, fought with them, and rescued some victims.
Security sources also said that troops recovered the motorcycles the insurgents used during the operation.
Speaking on Wednesday, a staff member at the Government Day Secondary School, who requested anonymity for security reasons, said the attack exacted a heavy toll.
According to the source, one teacher, one Nigerian soldier and a local hunter were killed during the exchange with the terrorists.
“They paid the supreme sacrifice while trying to stop the terrorists from taking away the students,” the source said.
The attack occurred while students were sitting for their NECO examinations after the insurgents reportedly infiltrated Lassa community on motorcycles, disguising themselves as soldiers and operatives of the newly created Forest Guards on the town’s market day before launching the assault. Security officials said the gunmen fired sporadically, killing a teacher before whisking away students into nearby forests.
The Borno State government has since confirmed that the abducted students are between 15 and 18 years old, while efforts involving the military, police, Civilian Joint Task Force (CJTF) and local vigilantes are continuing to secure the release of those still being held.
See the list below: