Boko Haram abducts students writing NECO at Borno school

An unspecified number of students were abducted by suspected Boko Haram and Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) terrorists during a national examination in Borno State, Nigeria. The attack took place Monday morning at the Government Day Secondary School in Lassa town, Askira Uba Local Government Area.

Students were in the middle of their Biology paper for the National Examinations Council (NECO) when the insurgents stormed the school. The Borno State police spokesperson, Daso Kenneth, confirmed the incident, stating that a joint operation involving the police, military, and the Civilian Joint Task Force (CJTF) managed to save some students.

Security forces are actively pursuing the insurgents in the surrounding bush areas in an effort to rescue the hostages. "The military, police, and civilian JTF are currently in the bush, combing the areas for the possible chances of rescuing the hostages," Kenneth told PREMIUM TIMES.

Meanwhile, the NECO spokesperson, Azeez Sani, stated that the examination body had no prior knowledge of the abduction and could not comment on the situation. The 2026 NECO Senior School Certificate Examination (SSCE) Internal began on June 15 and is scheduled to conclude on July 23.

“

That’s what we know for now. But the military, police, and civilian JTF are currently in the bush, combing the areas for the possible chances of rescuing the hostages.