NSCIA Condemns Borno School Attack, Demands Stronger Action Against Terrorism

The Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA) has condemned the recent terrorist attack on Government Day Secondary School in Lassa Town, Askira Uba Local Government Area of Borno State, describing the abduction of students and teachers as a “crime against humanity” and calling for more decisive measures to end terrorism in Nigeria.

In a statement issued on Thursday by its Public Affairs Officer, Abbas Jimoh, the Council, under the leadership of the Sultan of Sokoto and President-General of the NSCIA, Alhaji Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar, expressed outrage over the attack, which claimed the life of a teacher and resulted in the abduction of several students and staff.

The Council said the incident highlights the persistent threat posed by terrorist groups and stressed the need for a coordinated national response to safeguard schools and vulnerable communities.

According to the NSCIA, the continued targeting of educational institutions is “a national disgrace that strikes at the very heart of Nigeria’s future” and must be brought to an end without delay.

The Council noted that the latest attack came only weeks after the abduction of 42 pupils from Mussa Primary and Junior Secondary School in the same Askira Uba Local Government Area on May 15, as well as the kidnapping of 49 pupils and their teachers in Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State on the same day, observing that many of the victims are still in captivity.

Expressing concern over the tactics employed by the attackers, the Council said the terrorists reportedly exploited Lassa Town’s market day to infiltrate the community before launching the assault. It said the development underscores the need for improved intelligence gathering, surveillance, inter-agency collaboration and community-based early warning systems.

The NSCIA also urged governments at all levels to embrace technology-driven security solutions, pointing to the Enugu State Government’s recently introduced artificial intelligence-powered security architecture, which includes a Command and Control Centre, surveillance drones and AI-enabled patrol vehicles capable of detecting threats and tracking criminals in real time.

While commending the Armed Forces, particularly troops of Operation HADIN KAI, for their swift deployment of ground and air assets that led to the rescue of some of the abducted students and teachers, the Council insisted that military operations should continue until all those still being held captive are safely reunited with their families.

The Council also paid tribute to the soldier and member of the Civilian Joint Task Force (CJTF) who lost their lives during the rescue operation, describing their sacrifice as a demonstration of courage and patriotism in the fight against terrorism.

Reaffirming Islam’s position on violence, the NSCIA declared that terrorism has no place in the religion, stressing that Boko Haram and the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) are enemies of both Islam and humanity.

It said the activities of the terrorist groups violate the Islamic principles of justice, mercy, the sanctity of human life and the pursuit of knowledge, adding that those who kill innocent people, abduct children and destroy schools cannot claim to represent Islam or any recognised faith.

The Council extended its condolences to the Government and people of Borno State, the management of Government Day Secondary School, Lassa, the families of the victims and everyone affected by the attack.

It called on the Federal Government and security agencies to sustain efforts to defeat terrorism, secure the release of all abductees and ensure that those responsible for attacks on innocent Nigerians are arrested and prosecuted.