Borno State Governor Professor Babagana Umara Zulum has dispatched a high-powered delegation to Lassa in the 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 of the Ministry of Environment, Dr Juliana Bitrus; the Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Special Projects, Engr Emmanuel Yerima; 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 anxiety over the safety and whereabouts of their children.
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Speaking on behalf of Governor Zulum, Engr. Wakilbe conveyed the governor’s sympathy to the affected families and assured them that the state government was working closely with security agencies, community leaders and other relevant 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 security agencies, government authorities, community leaders and other stakeholders are making every effort to trace and safely reunite the missing students and staff with their families,” he said.
The delegation later visited Government Girls Secondary School, Lassa, where the commissioner presided over an emergency stakeholders’ meeting attended by the Zonal Deputy Director (Uba Zone), the Education Secretary, principals of schools across the Askira/Uba Local Government Area, the Local Government Chairman, security representatives and other key stakeholders.
Following extensive deliberations, the meeting resolved to temporarily shut down all schools in Dille, Lassa and Chul communities as a precautionary measure. However, students currently writing their examinations will be relocated to Government Secondary School, Uba, to ensure their academic activities continue uninterrupted.
During the meeting, the Chairman of Askira/Uba Local Government Area, Hon. 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 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 and briefed him on the measures being taken by the Borno State Government to address the situation.
