The Borno State Government has confirmed that it has received a proof-of-life video showing students abducted from Government Day Secondary School, Lassa, in Askira/Uba Local Government Area, providing the first official indication that the victims remain alive since their abduction.
The confirmation was made on Saturday during the Borno State Education Summit held in Maiduguri, where the Commissioner for Education, Science and Technology, Abba Wakilbe, displayed the brief video during a presentation.
The summit, organised in collaboration with the Malala Fund, was held under the theme, “Strengthening Safe, Inclusive and Gender-Responsive Education: Building Back Better.”
Speaking during his presentation, Wakilbe disclosed that the state government remained committed to securing the safe return of the students, who were kidnapped on June 29.
According to him, the state has continued to intensify efforts to rescue the victims while working with relevant security agencies.
“Since the Chibok abduction, we have not had such an issue. Not until recently did we have the issue in Mussa and subsequently in Lassa.
“From the Lassa abduction, we have 36 in captivity. Out of the 36, there are 25 girls and 11 boys,” he said.
The commissioner, however, revealed that there was still no update regarding the whereabouts of students abducted earlier from Mussa Community, expressing concern over the continued insecurity affecting educational institutions.
He described repeated attacks on schools as one of the biggest setbacks confronting the education sector in Borno State.
“If this does not stop, progress will not happen, and a lot of what we have achieved will be reversed,” he warned.
Wakilbe appealed to residents, humanitarian organisations and development partners to continue supporting the government’s efforts to safeguard schools and ensure uninterrupted access to education.
He stressed that protecting educational institutions remained critical to rebuilding the state’s future after years of insurgency.
Officials overseeing the presentation reportedly declined requests to release the proof-of-life video to the public.
However, those present at the summit said the footage lasted approximately 15 seconds and showed the abducted students sitting on the ground.
Some of the students were reportedly dressed in the official uniform of Government Day Secondary School, Lassa, while two armed terrorists stood behind them holding a flag bearing Arabic inscriptions.
The commissioner did not disclose where or when the video was recorded, but its presentation was intended to assure families and stakeholders that the government was actively pursuing the release of the victims.
The abduction has renewed concerns over the safety of schools in Borno State despite years of investment in the Safe Schools Initiative and ongoing security operations aimed at preventing attacks on educational institutions.
Education stakeholders at the summit reiterated the need for stronger collaboration between communities, security agencies and development partners to prevent further attacks and protect students across the state.
