Borno state governor, Professor Babagana Umara Zulum, has dispatched a high-powered government delegation to Lassa town in Askira/Uba Local Government Area following Monday’s insurgent attack on Government Day Secondary School, Lassa.
The delegation, led by the Commissioner for Education, Science, Technology and Innovation, Engr. Lawan Abba Wakilbe, included the Commissioner for Intergovernmental Affairs, Hon. Samaila Satumari; the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Environment, Dr. Juliana Bitrus; the Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Special Projects, Engr. Emmanuel Yerima
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Others are a representative of the Nigerian Union of Teachers (NUT), Comrade Suleiman Bello Maina, and other senior government officials.
On arrival in Lassa, the delegation met with parents of the affected students, many of whom expressed concern over the safety and whereabouts of their children.
Addressing the gathering, Wakilbe conveyed governor Zulum’s sympathy to the affected families and assured them that the state government was working closely with security agencies, community leaders, and other stakeholders to secure the safe return of the missing students and staff.
“On behalf of His Excellency, Professor Babagana Umara Zulum, I extend our heartfelt sympathy over this unfortunate incident. I want to assure you that concerted efforts involving security agencies, government authorities, community leaders, and other stakeholders are ongoing to trace and safely reunite the missing students and staff with their families,” Wakilbe said.
The delegation later held an emergency stakeholders’ meeting at Government Girls Secondary School, Lassa. The meeting was attended by the Zonal Deputy Director (Uba Zone), the Education Secretary, principals of schools across Askira/Uba Local Government Area, the Local Government Chairman, security representatives, and other key stakeholders.
At the end of the meeting, stakeholders resolved to temporarily shut down all schools in Dille, Lassa, and Chul communities as a precautionary security measure. However, students currently sitting for ongoing examinations will be relocated to Government Secondary School, Uba, to ensure their academic activities continue without interruption.
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During the meeting, the Chairman of Askira/Uba Local Government, Mada Saidu, presented the official list of victims affected by the attack.
According to the report, 39 persons from Government Day Secondary School, Lassa, were affected, including three teaching staff and 36 students.
The report further revealed that the missing students comprise 25 females and 11 males drawn from Senior Secondary School One (SS1), Senior Secondary School Two (SS2), and Senior Secondary School Three (SS3).
The delegation also paid a condolence visit to the Emir of Uba, Alhaji Aliyu Ibn Samaila Mamza, where they sympathised with the traditional ruler over the incident and briefed him on measures being implemented by the Borno State Government in response to the attack.
The delegation commended the resilience and cooperation of the affected communities and reaffirmed Governor Zulum’s commitment to strengthening security around schools, supporting affected families, and ensuring the safe return of all missing students.
