Parents plead for release of students after Boko Haram school attack in Nigeria
At least 37 people, including 36 students and one staff member, remain in captivity after suspected Boko Haram gunmen attacked Government Day Secondary School in Lassa, Borno State, on Monday while students were sitting the National Examinations Council (NECO) exams.
Footage captured on Wednesday showed empty classrooms strewn with books and school bags, while anxious parents gathered outside the school holding photographs of their missing children and appealing for their safe return.
Deborah Wanda, whose daughter was among those abducted, said she had expected her child to return home shortly after the examination.
"She said she'll return home early," Wanda said. "I later got news she was abducted by terrorists. I and others went in pursuit in the bush." One of the rescued students, Wayem Bitrus, said she and another student managed to escape after the attackers fled when they heard security forces approaching.
"They heard gunshots. It scared them, and they left us. That was how we were rescued by security agents," Bitrus recalled. "I was so afraid. I don't want to go back to school again. I saw many of my friends on the motorbikes taken away. I want the government to please rescue them," she added.
Parents of those still missing urged the authorities to intensify efforts to secure the release of the abducted students.
This story is written and edited by the Global South World team, you can contact us here.
