School authorities at Government Day Secondary School in Lassa, Askira/Uba Local Government Area of Borno State, have released the names of 36 students still held by suspected Boko Haram terrorists following an attack on Monday, June 29, 2026. The students were among those abducted during the assault, which targeted the school while students were preparing for the National Examination Council (NECO) exams.
The attack, which occurred in the early hours, involved armed men who stormed the school premises, causing chaos and abducting an unknown number of students. Local officials and security sources confirmed that 36 of the abducted students, all registered for the NECO examinations, remain in captivity. The school's principal, speaking on condition of anonymity, stated that the list of names has been shared with security agencies and parents.
Borno State Governor Babagana Zulum condemned the attack and assured residents that security forces are intensifying efforts to rescue the students. 'We are working with the military and other security agencies to ensure the safe return of our children,' Zulum said in a statement. The Nigerian Army has deployed additional troops to the area to conduct search operations.
The attack is the latest in a series of abductions targeting schools in northeastern Nigeria, where Boko Haram and other armed groups operate. The United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) has called for the immediate release of the students, emphasizing the right to education in safe environments. As of July 1, 2026, no group has claimed responsibility, but suspicion falls on Boko Haram, which has a history of such attacks.
