Suspected Boko Haram insurgents reportedly disguised as Nigerian soldiers and forest guards abducted candidates sitting for the National Examinations Council (NECO) examination, along with a teacher, in Borno State shortly after security personnel withdrew from the area, according to a security source.
The source disclosed that the attackers allegedly exploited the brief security gap by posing as government security operatives to gain the confidence of residents before carrying out the abduction.
According to the source, the military had earlier provided security in the area to enable the conduct of the examination but left after completing their assignment. Minutes later, the insurgents reportedly stormed the community, rounded up the victims and whisked them away into the bush.
The incident has heightened fears over the safety of students, teachers and residents in parts of Borno State still affected by insurgent activities, despite ongoing military operations in the North-East.
The source described the attack as a calculated operation aimed at undermining efforts to restore normalcy and ensure access to education in conflict-affected communities.
Security agencies are said to have launched efforts to track the abductors and rescue the victims, although there was no official confirmation of the incident from the military or the Borno State Government as of the time of filing this report.
The latest incident underscores the persistent security challenges facing communities in Borno State, where schools and educational activities have repeatedly been targeted by insurgent groups over the years.
