Boko Haram kills two teachers, kidnap students writing NECO in Borno

There was pandemonium at Week Village market near a community school where at least two teachers were killed, and scores of students were abducted while writing the National Examinations Council in Askira Uba local government area in the southern part of Borno state, officials said.

…Military rescue 10 people so far

BusinessDay reliably gathered that the terrorists rode out on utility vehicles mounted with anti-aircraft guns and stormed Lassa Day Secondary School in Uba district around 9 am, dressed in military camouflage, shooting sporadically, killing two teachers and wounding others.

According to sources, more than a score of students were abducted alongside women selling firewood near the school premises into Sambisa Forest.

Lassa is a community settling at the fringe of Sambisa Forest, a local source said. “We are working closely with all stakeholders to arrive at an accurate figure, but presently things are tight. Many other students have gone back to their neighbouring villages after that attack.

He continued, ” The whole town of Lassa is in a state of confusion. Parents and guardians are wailing; today is a black Monday. The number of people abducted can’t be ascertained for now. Today is our local weekly market day, also some women were equally abducted.

Military aircraft disrupt terrorists’ movement – freed captive

However, in a swift response by security operatives,at least 10 persons were later rescued following aerial attacks in coordination with ground troops.

Paul Namaske, the Vice Principal of Government Day Secondary School, Lassa, in Askira/Uba Local Government Area of Borno State, where terrorists attacked on Monday, recounted his ordeal during the attack and the series of events that led to the rescue of the victims by the Nigerian Army.

In a one-minute, 20-second video obtained by our correspondent on Monday, the vice principal said two teachers and over 20 students were abducted during Monday’s attack on candidates writing the National Examinations Council examinations.

Namaske said, “Today, being June 29, the terrorists took us into the bush. When a military aircraft started hovering over us, the insurgents started dispersing. While this was happening, we heard gunshots from the soldiers, so they (the terrorists) began to run while we started escaping. In the process, the soldiers rescued us.”

Providing a breakdown of the victims, he said, “We are two teachers and about 20-something students. I cannot give the precise number, but at one point during the movement, when they (the insurgents) gathered us in one place, I was able to make a rough estimate. There were about 20 students and two teachers,” he said.

Our correspondent had earlier reported that the Nigerian Army confirmed the rescue of 10 victims, including teachers and students, who were abducted during the attack.

Soldier, CJTF killed during rescue operation- military

Muhammed Goni, the Acting Military Information Officer, North-East Joint Task Force, Operation Hadin Kai, said in a statement on Monday that two security operatives, including a soldier and a member of the Civilian Joint Task Force, were killed during the rescue operation.

The statement read, “Troops of Operation HADIN KAI (OPHK) have successfully rescued 10 National Examinations Council (NECO) candidates and teachers abducted during an ISWAP attack on Lassa Community in Askira/Uba Local Government Area of Borno State.

“Immediately upon receipt of the report of the incident, the Theatre Command scrambled both strike and Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (ISR) aircraft from the Air Component of OPHK to support troops mobilised to the area for a coordinated search-and-rescue operation.”

“The troops, with support from the air platforms overhead providing guidance, made contact around Daggu and, after the firefight, the operation has so far resulted in the successful rescue of 10 victims, who were unhurt and are currently receiving the necessary care and support, while efforts remain ongoing to rescue the remaining victims and bring the perpetrators to justice,” he added.

He noted that during the encounter, troops outmanoeuvred the fleeing terrorists, inflicted casualties on them and recovered seven motorcycles.

“Regrettably, during the intense firefight, one gallant soldier of OPHK and a member of the Civilian Joint Task Force paid the supreme sacrifice in the exchange of fire with the terrorists,” he said.

It would be recalled that in May, it was reported that 42 students and pupils were abducted and are yet to be released in Mussa Primary and Junior Secondary School in Askira/Uba Local Government Area of Borno State.

Muhammade Ndume, the lawmaker representing Borno South Senatorial District, said the abducted students comprise “four (4) students from the Government Day Secondary School (two male and two female), 28 pupils were abducted from the primary section, while 10 children were abducted from their various residential houses, making a total of 42 persons.”he noted.