At least 37 students are missing after gunmen stormed a school in northeast Nigeria, according to local officials.
The attack happened on Monday at a secondary school in Lassa, in Borno State. Fighters linked to Islamic State West Africa Province are reported to have carried out the assault. The region has long been affected by insecurity and repeated militant violence.
Officials say the raid took place while students were sitting their exams. Witnesses describe how armed men overwhelmed the school, creating panic before fleeing with captives.
At least three people were killed, including a soldier and a teacher, military authorities said.
Initial reports suggested 10 students had been rescued, leaving one missing. But updated figures from education authorities in Borno indicate a much higher number still unaccounted for.
According to those figures, 25 female students, 11 male students, and one staff member remain in captivity.
A list of missing individuals, including names and family contacts, was shared with journalists by a local councillor. Security sources also confirmed seeing the document, according to reports.
Officials say eight people, including the school’s vice principal, were later freed. Their release has brought some relief, but concern remains for those still held.
Kidnapping for ransom has become a recurring tactic in Nigeria’s conflict-hit north and central regions, with schools frequently targeted.
The 2014 Chibok abduction remains the most well-known case, but similar incidents continue. In May, more than 40 pupils were also taken in Borno’s Mussa village.
Nigeria has faced an armed insurgency since 2009, mainly in the northeast. While violence has eased compared to its peak, analysts warn there are signs of renewed attacks.