The Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA) has strongly condemned the recent terrorist attack on Government Day Secondary School in Lassa Town, Askira Uba Local Government Area of Borno State, describing it as a barbaric assault that underscores the persistent threat of terrorism in Nigeria.
In a statement issued on Thursday by its Public Affairs Officer, Abbas Jimoh, the Council, under the leadership of the President-General and Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar, expressed outrage over the attack in which a teacher was killed while scores of students and teachers were abducted.
The NSCIA described the kidnapping and killing of schoolchildren and education workers as “a despicable crime against humanity,” warning that the recurring attacks on schools constitute a national disgrace that threatens Nigeria’s future.
The Council noted that the latest incident came barely weeks after the May 15 abduction of 42 pupils of Mussa Primary and Junior Secondary School in the same Askira Uba Local Government Area, as well as the kidnapping of 49 pupils and their teachers in Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State, stressing that many of the victims remain in captivity.
According to the Council, the terrorists exploited Lassa’s market day to infiltrate the community before launching the attack, a development it said demonstrates the evolving tactics of insurgents and the need to close existing security gaps.
It therefore called for enhanced intelligence gathering, surveillance, stronger inter-agency collaboration, and community-based early warning systems to prevent future attacks.
The NSCIA also urged governments across the country to adopt technology-driven security solutions, citing the recent security architecture introduced by the Enugu State Government, which features an AI-powered command and control centre, surveillance drones and AI-enabled patrol vehicles capable of identifying 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 victims, the Council insisted that rescue operations should continue until every kidnapped student and staff member is 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 mission, describing their sacrifice as a demonstration of courage and patriotism in the fight against terrorism.
Reiterating that terrorism has no place in Islam, the NSCIA declared that Boko Haram and ISWAP are enemies of both Islam and humanity, saying their actions violate the Qur’anic principles of the sanctity of human life, justice, mercy and the pursuit of knowledge.
It extended condolences to the Borno State Government, the management of Government Day Secondary School, Lassa, the families of the abducted students and all those affected by the tragedy.
The Council further maintained that Nigeria must never surrender to terror, urged security agencies to relentlessly pursue those responsible, bring them to justice and ensure lasting peace and security across the country.
