Boko Haram fighters attacked a school in the town of Lassa, Borno State, northeastern Nigeria, abducting a large number of students. The assault took place early in the morning while a biology exam was underway at a public secondary school. The attackers stormed the school grounds and forcibly removed many pupils.

Police spokesman Nahum Kenneth Daso confirmed the incident. He stated that the assailants arrived on motorcycles, taking advantage of the weekly market crowd in Lassa to blend in and approach the school unnoticed.

According to authorities, one teacher was killed during the attack. Armed men also seized several students before fleeing.

In response, Nigerian security forces launched a pursuit operation. Deputy Commander of Operation Hadin Kai, Mohammed Musa Goni, reported that a soldier was killed in a clash with the attackers near the locality of Daggu.

Goni further announced that ten students had been rescued during the operation. He stated that they were in satisfactory health and receiving medical and psychological care. Search efforts continue to locate the remaining hostages and apprehend those responsible.

Boko Haram has been active in northeastern Nigeria since the early 2000s, leading an armed insurgency that has killed tens of thousands since 2009. The group has also extended its attacks into Cameroon, Chad, and Niger. Violence in the Lake Chad basin has resulted in at least 2,000 deaths and displaced hundreds of thousands of civilians.

By Mariama Hamani — Analyst