Borno confirms five pupils, six teachers killed in schools attacks

[PeoplesDaily]

From Mustapha Isah Kwaru, Maiduguri

Borno state government yesterday said six teachers and five pupils were killed in last Monday's multiple attacks carried out by suspected Boko Haram insurgents on some primary schools in various locations of Maiduguri.

Peoples Daily reports that nine final year students who were writing the ongoing National Examination Council (NECO) were also killed when suspected insurgents launched coordinated attacks on the primary and secondary schools.

The Commissioner for Basic Education Prof. Tijjani Abba, disclosed this while briefing newsmen on the achievements of his ministry in the last two years, saying government has so far adopted concrete security strategies to avert recurrence of the incidents.

Abba who described the killings as 'barbaric', warned that if remained unchecked the trend would thwart the on-going educational revolution embarked upon by Governor Kashim Shettima.

"It was very unfortunate that the hoodlums attacked and killed innocent souls in the line of duties, this heartless and unjustifiable madness must not be allowed to continue unchallenged due to its negative impact on the educational sector and the citizens in general", he said.

The Commissioner added that as part of measures to ensure safety of teachers and pupils, government has directed the chairmen of the 27 local government councils to utilize parts of their monthly financial allocations from the Federal Government in providing security cover for all public schools in their respective domains.

He noted that as an expression of sympathy and solidarity for the slain teachers and pupils, government is planning to assist their families and parents.

He also said that 50 primary schools in northern and central senatorial districts of the state were allegedly burnt by the militants during the period under review.

He explained that in a bid to deal with all hurdles targeted at scuttling iys giant efforst for improved educational at all levels, government has far spent the sum of N140 millinon for the rehabilitation of the burnt schools.

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[PeoplesDaily]