Boko Haram, ISWAP Terrorists Attack Borno School, Abduct Students During NECO Exams

By Jonadab
Publisher: DocuNews Central
Date: June 29, 2026

Suspected Boko Haram and Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) terrorists attacked Government Day Secondary School in Lassa, Askira/Uba Local Government Area of Borno State on Monday morning, disrupting the ongoing National Examinations Council (NECO) examinations and abducting an unspecified number of students.

The attack, which reportedly occurred at about 9:00 a.m., sent panic through the school and surrounding community as heavily armed assailants stormed the premises, firing sporadic gunshots. Students who had gathered to write their examination papers, alongside teachers, school officials, and nearby residents, fled in different directions in an attempt to escape the violence.

According to initial reports from local sources, several students were forcefully taken away by the attackers into nearby bush areas. The exact number of abducted students has not yet been officially confirmed, while authorities continue search-and-rescue operations in the area.

Police authorities have confirmed that a terrorist attack took place in Lassa. Security agencies, including the Nigerian military, the Nigeria Police Force, and members of the Civilian Joint Task Force (CJTF), have since launched a coordinated operation aimed at locating the abducted students and ensuring their safe return.

Officials said security personnel have been deployed across nearby forests and surrounding communities where the attackers are believed to have fled. Helicopter surveillance and ground patrols are also expected to support the ongoing rescue efforts as authorities work to prevent the terrorists from moving deeper into remote areas.

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Witnesses described scenes of confusion as the sound of gunfire echoed across the community. Many students reportedly abandoned their examination materials and ran for safety, while parents rushed to the school after hearing news of the attack.

Local residents said the incident has left the community traumatized, with many families desperately searching for missing relatives. Some parents gathered outside the school awaiting information from security officials regarding the whereabouts of their children.

Sources within the community also reported that at least one teacher was killed during the attack, while another sustained gunshot injuries and was rushed to a medical facility for treatment. However, security officials have not yet released an official casualty figure, stating that investigations are still ongoing and information is being verified.

Authorities have urged the public to remain calm and avoid spreading unverified reports as rescue operations continue. They also appealed to residents to provide any useful information that could assist security agencies in tracking the movements of the attackers.

The latest attack has once again highlighted the persistent security challenges facing northeastern Nigeria despite years of military offensives against insurgent groups. Boko Haram and its splinter faction, ISWAP, have repeatedly targeted schools, communities, security formations, and public infrastructure across Borno and neighboring states.

Schools have remained particularly vulnerable over the past decade. Several high-profile attacks and mass abductions of students have forced governments at both the federal and state levels to strengthen school security through the Safe Schools Initiative and increased deployment of security personnel to vulnerable communities. Nevertheless, attacks continue to expose gaps in security coverage, especially in remote rural areas.

The assault on students sitting for a national examination has renewed concerns among education stakeholders and parents about the safety of children attending schools in conflict-affected regions. Education advocates warn that repeated attacks discourage school attendance, increase dropout rates, and worsen the humanitarian challenges already confronting thousands of displaced families.

Security analysts have also noted that attacks targeting schools serve multiple purposes for terrorist groups, including creating widespread fear, disrupting education, attracting media attention, and undermining public confidence in government security efforts.

As rescue operations continue, government officials are expected to provide additional updates regarding the number of abducted students, casualties, and progress made by security forces. Families of those affected remain hopeful that the students will be rescued safely and reunited with their loved ones.

The incident represents another painful reminder of the continuing threat posed by insurgent groups in northeastern Nigeria. While security agencies intensify efforts to rescue those abducted and restore calm to the affected community, many Nigerians continue to call for stronger protection of schools and more decisive measures to safeguard students, teachers, and educational institutions across the country.

DocuNews Central will continue to monitor developments and provide verified updates as more official information becomes available.