27 Still Missing After Lassa School Attack

By Tada Jutha, Maiduguri

At least 27 students and children remain unaccounted for following the deadly attack on Government Day Secondary School, Lassa, in Askira/Uba Local Government Area of Borno State, where suspected Boko Haram terrorists stormed the school during the ongoing National Examinations Council (NECO) examinations.

The latest development comes after security forces rescued 10 abducted victims, including students and a teacher, during a military operation. However, anxious families say dozens of others are still missing, deepening fears over the fate of those taken into the Sambisa Forest axis.

The attack, which occurred on Monday morning, disrupted the NECO examination as gunmen invaded the school, killing two teachers and abducting an unspecified number of students and staff before fleeing.

Parents who spoke on Tuesday said the Borno State Government had opened a register for families to report missing relatives in a bid to determine the actual number of victims.

One of the affected parents, Mr Mbula Bura, whose 19-year-old daughter, Esther, is among those missing, said at least 37 names had initially been recorded in the government register.

“Parents who could not find their children were invited to register them. I discovered that 37 names have been registered so far as missing. My daughter, Esther Mbula, who is in SSS2, is still missing,” he said.

With 10 victims already rescued, families estimate that at least 27 people remain in captivity.

Another parent, Emmanuel Dari, said his 16-year-old daughter, Lucy, was among those abducted from the classroom during the attack.

“My daughter was writing her examination when the terrorists took them away. Since yesterday, we have not slept. When we heard about the rescue operation, we were hopeful, but when we got there, my daughter was not among those rescued,” he lamented.

He confirmed that the Borno State Commissioner for Education, Lawan Wakilbe, led a government delegation to Lassa to assess the situation and meet with affected families.

“They came to see us and assess the situation. We are praying that the remaining children will be rescued alive,” he added.

A resident of the community, Bitrus Milnda, also disclosed that two of his relatives—Martha Wajau and Abori Ujulu, both SSS1 students—were among those abducted.

Despite growing public concern, the Borno State Commissioner for Information and Internal Security, Usman Tar, had not responded to calls for official comments as of the time of filing this report.

Earlier, the Nigerian military announced the successful rescue of 10 abducted students and teachers following a coordinated operation by troops of Operation Hadin Kai, supported by the Air Component.

According to the Acting Military Information Officer of the North-East Joint Task Force, Operation Hadin Kai, Capt. Muhammed Goni, troops launched an immediate search-and-rescue mission after receiving reports of the attack.

The operation, supported by Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (ISR) aircraft as well as strike platforms, tracked the abductors to the Daggu area, where troops engaged them in a firefight.

The military said all 10 rescued victims were found unharmed and are receiving medical attention and other necessary support.

However, the rescue incurred a cost. During the operation, the military killed a soldier and a member of the Civilian Joint Task Force.

Military authorities said efforts are continuing to locate and rescue the remaining abductees while pursuing those responsible for the attack.

The incident has once again highlighted the persistent security challenges facing communities in Borno State, particularly schools in areas vulnerable to attacks by insurgent groups. It also revives concerns over the safety of students sitting for public examinations in conflict-affected regions, despite ongoing military operations aimed at restoring security across the North-East.

Zulum Seeks Removal of FCE Gwoza Principal Officers Over Failure to Commence Academic Activities

By tada jutha, Maiduguri

Borno State Governor Babagana Umara Zulum has expressed anger and disappointment over what he described as the poor management of the Federal College of Education (FCE), Gwoza, despite the Borno State Government’s investment of more than ₦200 million to facilitate the institution’s take-off.

During an inspection of the college, Governor Zulum faulted the institution’s leadership for failing to commence meaningful academic activities, accusing its principal officers of lacking the commitment needed to make the college operational.

The Governor recalled that the state government had released ₦200 million as a take-off grant for the 2025/2026 academic session and undertaken a comprehensive rehabilitation of the institution, which was established in 2024, to ensure it was ready to admit its first set of students.

According to him, the college, situated along the Gwoza–Mubi Road, has remained largely inactive despite the substantial support provided by the state government.

Earlier, Zulum had formally handed over the fully remodelled college to the Federal Ministry of Education during a ceremony at the Government House Council Chamber in Maiduguri. However, he said the management had failed to demonstrate the urgency and dedication required to activate the institution.

The former Teachers College Gwoza, now upgraded to a Federal College of Education, has been transformed with over 100 renovated classrooms, modern science laboratories, improved administrative offices and residential quarters for principal officers.

Beyond the rehabilitation, the Governor approved the allocation of the site in July 2023, provided a ₦200 million take-off package and constructed a housing estate comprising 12 two-bedroom apartments for academic staff. Additional staff quarters were also built to address accommodation challenges and encourage staff retention.

Despite these investments, the institution has yet to begin full academic operations.

A visibly displeased Governor Zulum questioned the commitment of the College’s leadership, saying their absence from duty reflected a lack of seriousness.

“I am not happy because this College was established about three years ago and the principal officers were appointed, especially the Provost. To my dismay, he cannot even install a 5kVA solar power system in his office. The office is deserted, none of them is here. This is a clear indication that there is no commitment to move this College forward,” he said.

He stressed that the Borno State Government would not stand by while the institution remained dormant after making significant investments.

“We have provided ₦200 million as a take-off grant and renovated almost all the buildings in the College. It is clear that there is no commitment on the part of the principal officers to drive the process and ensure academic activities commence,” the Governor added.

Governor Zulum disclosed that the state government would formally communicate its findings to the Federal Ministry of Education and recommend changes in the institution’s leadership to enable the College to begin academic programmes without further delay.

“We will forward our findings to the Federal Ministry of Education on how we can change some of the principal officers so that academic activities can resume in this school,” he stated.

The Governor reaffirmed his administration’s determination to ensure that the Federal College of Education, Gwoza, fulfils its mandate of expanding access to teacher education and contributing to educational development in Borno State and the North-East.

Boko Haram Razes School, Kills Resident in Fresh Attack on Borno Community

By Tada Juth, Maiduguri

Suspected Boko Haram terrorists have launched a fresh attack on a community in Borno State, killing one resident and setting parts of a secondary school ablaze in Kautikari village, Chibok Local Government Area.

The attack occurred on Saturday evening at the Government Day Secondary School, Kautikari, a community located on the outskirts of the state, reigniting concerns over the safety of schools and rural communities in the insurgency-prone region.

According to local sources, the attackers stormed the village on motorcycles at about 6:45 p.m., targeting the school and other facilities. The assault reportedly killed one resident and destroyed several classrooms by fire.

Confirming the incident on Sunday, the Education Secretary of Chibok Local Government Area, Malah Kyari, said the affected section of the school was the Junior Secondary School.

“I can confirm that the insurgents attacked the Kautikari community yesterday, killed one person, and set ablaze one block containing five classrooms and an office at Kautikari JSS,” Kyari stated.

The spokesperson of the Borno State Police Command, ASP Nahum Daso, also confirmed the attack, noting that security forces successfully repelled the assailants and prevented further destruction.

“They attacked Kautikari village, where they burnt classrooms at the Government Day Secondary School and killed one person, a man,” Daso said.

“The suspected insurgents faced strong resistance from joint security forces, averting further losses. As of now, the area is calm, and intensive patrols are ongoing.”

Daso added that security personnel also thwarted an attempted infiltration by suspected insurgents into Maiduguri later on Saturday night.

The Zonal Inspector for Local Government and Emirate Affairs, overseeing Bama, Chibok, Gwoza, Askira/Uba, and Damboa, Samaila Manza, said authorities were still assessing the full extent of the damage caused by the attackers.

“I was informed that terrorists attacked the village, but we have not verified the actual extent of the damage they caused,” he said.

Residents said the attackers arrived in large numbers and appeared determined to destroy the school infrastructure.

“I learned they entered Kautikari on motorcycles. Many residents have fled for safety. They targeted the school and set it on fire. It was during their entry into the community that a man was killed,” a local source who requested anonymity disclosed.

The latest attack underscores the persistent security challenges facing communities in southern Borno despite ongoing military operations against insurgent groups in the region.