The Borno State Government has declared that ongoing National Examinations Council examinations will not be suspended following the abduction of students and women during a biology paper at Lassa Day Secondary School in Askira Uba Local Government Area on Monday.

Commissioner of Information and Internal Security Usman Tar, speaking in an interview with ABC Hausa monitored in Maiduguri on Tuesday, said terrorists routinely exploit lapses in security rotations to carry out attacks but assured that the state's Safe Schools initiative remained effective.

"We have security forces deployed to protect schools, but what happens is that the terrorists are monitoring soldier movements, especially during shift changes, or perhaps the soldiers arrive late to take over, which is when the attackers seize the opportunity and wreak havoc on communities," Tar said.

He confirmed that combined security forces comprising the Army, Police, and civilian Joint Task Force had intercepted the abductors, with 10 individuals escaping or being rescued shortly after the attack.

"Yes, it was not long ago they went to Mussa and now Lassa, where they abducted schoolchildren. Fortunately, the soldiers intercepted them and recovered seven students, while others remain in the bush as the military continues efforts to rescue them all," Tar disclosed.

Despite the incident, the commissioner maintained that examinations across the state would continue without interruption.

"Yes, other schools are relatively secure, and examinations will continue. The state government is actively working to address the situation. I can tell you that our security of lives and property has improved, but these minor setbacks are surmountable. Inshallah, we will overcome these challenges. The examinations will proceed," he assured.

Monday's attack occurred 45 days after 42 students were abducted from Mussa Primary and Junior Secondary School, also in Askira Uba Local Government Area, with those students yet to be released at the time of this report.

The back to back incidents have raised fresh concerns about the adequacy of security arrangements for schools in the southern part of Borno State, particularly during public examination periods when student populations are concentrated and predictable.