Tension gripped Lassa community in Askira/Uba Local Government Area of Borno State on Tuesday as parents confirmed that 36 students remain missing following a terrorist attack on Government Day Secondary School, Lassa, while angry youths protested against a government delegation sent to sympathise with affected families.

The attack, reportedly carried out by suspected ISWAP insurgents on Monday, occurred during an ongoing National Examinations Council (NECO) examination. The assailants allegedly killed two teachers and abducted several students, sparking panic and grief across the community.

In response to the incident, the Borno State Government dispatched a high-powered delegation led by the Commissioner for Education, Science, Technology and Innovation, Lawan Abba Wakilbe, to assess the situation and convey Governor Babagana Umara Zulum’s sympathy to the victims’ families.

However, the visit was met with hostility as youths and relatives of the abducted students interrupted the delegation’s address, demanding immediate action to secure the release of the missing children. Chanting slogans such as “We don’t want talks, bring back our children” and “Don’t play politics with our children,” the protesters rejected attempts by government officials to address them.

As tensions escalated, members of the delegation were forced to cut short their engagement and were escorted out of the community by the protesting youths. Residents expressed frustration over the continued uncertainty surrounding the fate of the abducted students and called for intensified rescue efforts by security agencies.

Meanwhile, parents have begun compiling the names of missing students in collaboration with authorities. Several families confirmed that at least 36 students remain unaccounted for. One parent, Mbula Bura, said his 19-year-old daughter, Esther Mbula, was among those missing, while another resident, Bitrus Milnda, identified two abducted relatives as Martha Wajau and Abori Ujulu, both Senior Secondary School One students.

Another parent, Emmanuel Dari, said the attack had plunged the community into fear and anxiety. According to him, his 16-year-old daughter, Lucy Emmanuel, who is in Senior Secondary School Two, has not been seen since the incident. He added that many families had received conflicting reports regarding possible rescues before learning that numerous students were still missing.

Earlier, troops of Operation Hadin Kai, supported by air surveillance assets, reportedly rescued 10 victims, including students and teachers, during ongoing search-and-rescue operations. The military also disclosed that two security personnel lost their lives during the operation.

The Borno State Commissioner for Information and Internal Security, Professor Usman Tar, confirmed that security agencies were continuing efforts to locate and rescue the remaining abductees, although the exact number of those still in captivity had not been immediately established.

In a related development, the Borno State Government has ordered the temporary closure of schools in Lassa, Dille and Chul communities following the attack. The decision was announced after an emergency stakeholders’ meeting held during the government’s visit to the affected community.

Governor Zulum’s spokesperson, Dauda Iliya, said the closure was adopted as a precautionary measure to safeguard students and educational personnel while security assessments continue. He added that students currently sitting for external examinations would be relocated to Government Secondary School, Uba, to ensure that their academic activities continue without disruption.

According to a report presented during the stakeholders’ meeting, a total of 39 persons were affected by the attack, including three members of staff and 36 students. The report further revealed that the missing students comprise 25 females and 11 males drawn from SS1, SS2 and SS3 classes.

The government reiterated its commitment to working closely with security agencies, community leaders and other stakeholders to secure the safe return of all abducted students and staff, while assuring affected families that rescue operations remain ongoing.