Local hunters and vigilantes have reportedly rescued 20 students abducted during Monday’s attack on Government Day Secondary School in Lassa, Askira/Uba Local Government Area of Borno State, following a pursuit of the fleeing attackers.
Sources familiar with the operation told Maidawa Arewa that the terrorists split into two groups as they retreated from the community with the abducted students.
According to the sources, local hunters pursuing the gunmen intercepted one of the groups, engaged them in a gun battle and successfully rescued 20 students. The sources said the remaining group of attackers fled with an unknown number of captives.
The rescued students were subsequently handed over to soldiers of the Nigerian Army, who are said to be conducting interviews and screening to establish their identities and obtain information about the attack before reuniting them with their families.
Earlier, suspected Boko Haram/ Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) fighters attacked Government Day Secondary School in Lassa, killing two teachers and abducting several students after reportedly arriving on more than 60 motorcycles.
The attack came barely a month after more than 40 children from nursery, primary and secondary schools were abducted in nearby Mussa community, also in Askira/Uba Local Government Area. Residents of Mussa recently staged a protest, calling on the government and security agencies to intensify efforts to secure the children’s release.
As of the time of publication, the Nigerian Army, the police and the Borno State Government had not issued an official statement confirming the reported rescue of the students or the exact number of those still missing.
Maidawa Arewa will continue to monitor developments and provide updates as more verified information becomes available.
