By Daily Review Online
Seven students abducted by suspected fighters of the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) during an attack on Government Day Secondary School, Lassa, in Borno State, have been rescued by local hunters.
The students were among those kidnapped on Monday when the terrorists stormed the school in Askira-Uba Local Government Area while candidates were writing the National Examinations Council (NECO) examination.
According to vigilante sources, local hunters pursued the attackers into nearby forests, engaged them in a gun battle, and successfully rescued seven students before handing them over to the military.
“They managed to free seven students from their captors and handed them over to the military,” a vigilante source said.
The councillor representing Lassa, Jagila Jabula, confirmed the rescue, revealing that all seven rescued captives were female students.
“We are praying for the hunters to defeat the assailants and secure the release of our loved ones,” he said.
The Borno State Police Command also confirmed the attack. Police spokesperson Nahum Kenneth Daso said the terrorists invaded the examination hall where students were writing the NECO examination and abducted several students and teachers.
He explained that security personnel confronted the attackers, reducing the number of people taken away, while a search operation is ongoing to rescue the remaining captives.
According to Daso, the attackers took advantage of the busy Lassa market day, infiltrated the town on motorcycles, and launched the attack on the school.
“They shot and killed one teacher and took away students who were in their classrooms,” he said.
The incident occurred just 47 days after another abduction in the same Askira-Uba Local Government Area, where 42 pupils of Mussa Primary and Junior Secondary School were kidnapped. Their families have reportedly not been contacted by the abductors, raising fears over the fate of the children.