The Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA) has strongly condemned the recent terrorist attack on Government Day Secondary School, Lassa Town, in 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 action to end terrorism in the country.
In a statement issued on Thursday by its Public Affairs Officer, Abbas Jimoh, the Council, led by its President-General, the Sultan of Sokoto, His Eminence Alhaji Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar, CFR, mni, expressed outrage over the attack, during which a teacher was killed while several students and teachers were abducted.
The Council said the incident underscores the persistent threat posed by terrorism and called for an uncompromising national response to protect schools and vulnerable communities.
Daily Dates Nigeria reports that NSCIA describes the continued targeting of educational institutions as “a national disgrace that strikes at the very heart of Nigeria’s future” and must be brought to an immediate end.
The Council noted with concern that the latest attack occurred 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. It observed that many of the victims remain in captivity.
The Islamic body further expressed concern that the attackers reportedly took advantage of Lassa Town’s market day to infiltrate the community before launching the assault, saying the development demonstrates the evolving tactics of terrorist groups and the need for stronger intelligence gathering, surveillance, inter-agency collaboration and community-based early warning systems.
The NSCIA also urged governments at all levels to adopt technology-driven security measures, citing the Enugu State Government’s recently introduced AI-powered security architecture, which features a 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 abducted students and teachers, the Council insisted that security operations should continue until all those still in captivity are safely rescued and reunited with their families.
The Council also paid tribute to the soldier and the 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.
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 stated that 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, families of the victims and all those affected by the attack.
It called on the Federal Government and security agencies to sustain efforts to defeat terrorism, rescue all abductees and ensure that those responsible for attacks on innocent citizens are apprehended and brought to justice.
