Borno Closes Schools In Three Communities Following Attack

The Borno State Government has ordered the temporary closure of schools in the communities of Dille, Lassa and Chul following the abduction of students from Government Day Secondary School in Lassa during a recent insurgent attack.

According to Ireporter Online, the directive was announced on Tuesday by the spokesperson to Governor Babagana Umara Zulum, Dauda Iliya, who explained that the decision was reached after a stakeholders’ meeting held during the visit of a high-level government delegation to Lassa.

The delegation, led by the Commissioner for Education, Science, Technology and Innovation, Lawan Abba Wakilbe, was dispatched by Governor Zulum to assess the situation in the aftermath of Monday’s attack on the school.

During the visit, the officials met with parents of the affected students, many of whom expressed deep concern over the whereabouts and safety of their children. Governor Zulum, through the delegation, assured the families that the state government was working closely with security agencies, community leaders and other relevant stakeholders to secure the safe return of the abducted students and members of staff.

The government disclosed that reports presented at the meeting indicated that 36 students remain missing. An emergency stakeholders’ session subsequently resolved that schools in the three affected communities should be temporarily closed as a precautionary measure to safeguard students and staff.

Despite the closures, authorities said candidates currently sitting for ongoing examinations would be relocated to Government Secondary School, Uba, to ensure their academic activities continue without interruption.

The Chairman of Askira/Uba Local Government Area, Mada Saidu, presented a report showing that 39 people were affected by the incident, comprising three teachers and 36 students. The missing students include 25 females and 11 males drawn from Senior Secondary School One, Senior Secondary School Two and Senior Secondary School Three.