The rising cases of insecurities in Nigeria has really intensified in 2026. The Borno school attack is another recorded incidence of bandit attack in Nigeria.
Students who have prepared for their NECO examinations were attacked very early in the morning in Government Day Secondary School on Monday, June 29, 2026. The attackers were suspected to be from the Islamic State West Africa Province.
Borno State and the northeast has faced years of insurgency by groups like Boko Haram and ISWAP, where schools are frequently targeted. This is a tactic to disrupt education, recruit more young minds, or demand ransoms. This recent Borno school attack adds to a pattern of school attacks and abductions that have traumatized communities.
What Happened at Government Day Secondary School, Lassa
The Borno school attack happened at the Government Day Secondary School, Lassa. The attackers stormed the school while students who were aged roughly around 15–18 years were sitting for their NECO examinations.
The gunmen fired shots thereby causing chaos and they abducted dozens of students. One teacher was killed and another teacher was brutally injured after being shot at the face. However, the total recorded number of kidnapped students were 37 plus a staff too.
The security forces and local vigilantes intervened so quick. The Nigerian Army’s Operation, Hadin Kai, confirmed troops, supported by strike and surveillance aircraft, made contact with the abductors near Daggu and rescued 10 victims.
Two security operatives which include a soldier and a local vigilante member were killed during the rescue operation.
Why the Number of Missing People Keeps Changing
The number of missing students from the Government Day Secondary School attack in Lassa, Borno State keeps changing due to the chaotic nature of the incident.
The Borno State Government said there are 36 missing students as recorded by Commissioner for Education, Lawan Abba Wakilbe after a Tuesday stakeholders’ meeting.
Meanwhile, according to the school’s own numbers, the school reported that at least 45 pupils and 2 staff were abducted in total. 8 regained their freedom which made the remaining number of abducted victims to be 36 pupils and 1 staff member.
There are 25 female and 11 male students between the age of 15 to 19 still in captivity. Borno State Commissioner for Information and Internal Security, Usman Tar, have confirmed that the total number of people in captivity are 37.
The Government Delegation That Was Chased Out of Town
The delegation from the Borno State Government arrived to consoles families and assess the situation after the Borno school attack at the Government Day Secondary School, but the residents most especially youths and relatives of the missing children rejected the delegate’s visit.
They insisted that they want immediate action of rescuing the abducted students rather than talks or condolence visits.
The crowd actually reacted that way due to repeated attacks in the area, perceived government inaction, and the trauma of still-missing children.
The delegation was unable to deliver its prepared remarks and was escorted out of the community. In response to this, the state government ordered the closure of schools in three nearby communities including Dille, Lassa and Chul.
Final Thoughts on the Borno School Attack
The Borno school attack in Lassa was after parents in the same Askira/Uba LGA continue to wait for news on a separate case where 42 pupils, including children as young as two years old were abducted from Mussa Primary and Junior Secondary School on May 15, 2026.
As a result of this, the United Nations has called for the immediate and unconditional release of all pupils and teachers abducted in Borno and in Oyo State school attack that occurred the same day as the Mussa abduction.
What do you think needs to change so children in northeast Nigeria can sit an exam without this happening again? Tell us your thoughts.
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