Borno State Shuts Schools After 36 Students Abducted

Authorities in Nigeria’s Borno State have temporarily closed schools in three towns after 36 students were abducted during an armed attack on a government secondary school.

Borno State Governor Babagana Zulum ordered the closure of schools in Lassa, Dille and Chul, all located in the Askira-Uba area, as a precautionary measure to protect students and prevent further attacks.

The decision followed a visit by a high-level government delegation led by the state Commissioner for Education, Lawan Abba Wakilbe, to the affected area.

During the visit, Wakilbe met families of the abducted students, community leaders and traditional authorities. He conveyed the governor’s condolences and expressed the state government’s solidarity with the affected families.

Wakilbe said the Borno State government is working closely with security agencies, community leaders and relevant authorities to secure the safe release of the abducted students and staff.

He said the school closures are temporary and are intended to protect other pupils until the security situation improves.

Armed men had stormed a government secondary school in Lassa while students were sitting exams organised by the National Examinations Council. The attackers abducted 36 students, including 25 girls and 11 boys.

Authorities earlier said some captives had been rescued, while several students remain missing.

The state government said search and rescue operations are continuing, with security forces and local leaders intensifying coordination to track down those behind the attack and ensure the safe return of the students.

Borno authorities stressed that the suspension of classes is temporary, adding that schools will reopen and learning will resume once the security situation stabilises.