Subscribe: Gist E-Paper
Troops of Operation HADIN KAI (OPHK) have rescued 10 National Examinations Council (NECO) candidates and teachers abducted during a terrorist attack on a secondary school in Lassa community, Askira/Uba Local Government Area of Borno State, while military operations continue to secure the release of one remaining victim.
The victims were kidnapped on Monday when suspected ISWAP terrorists attacked the Technical Secondary School in Lassa as students were writing their NECO examinations, in a fresh assault targeting educational institutions in the North-East.
According to the military, the attack occurred at about 9:00 a.m., prompting an immediate response by troops of Operation HADIN KAI, who launched a coordinated search-and-rescue mission supported by strike aircraft and Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (ISR) platforms from the Air Component of the operation.
The military said aerial surveillance guided ground troops to the terrorists' location around Daggu, where security forces engaged the fleeing insurgents in a fierce gun battle.
During the operation, troops successfully rescued 10 abducted candidates and teachers unharmed. The victims are currently receiving medical attention and other necessary support, while efforts have been intensified to rescue the remaining captive.
Military authorities disclosed that troops outmanoeuvred the fleeing terrorists during the encounter, inflicting casualties on the insurgents and recovering seven motorcycles used during the attack, significantly disrupting their escape.
However, the operation came at a heavy cost, as one soldier of Operation HADIN KAI and a member of the Civilian Joint Task Force (CJTF) lost their lives during the exchange of gunfire with the terrorists.
The military described the fallen personnel as courageous heroes whose sacrifice reflected the commitment of security forces and local volunteers working to restore peace and protect communities across the North-East.
Operation HADIN KAI said troops, in collaboration with other security agencies and relevant stakeholders, had intensified operations across the area to track down the fleeing terrorists, rescue the remaining victim and bring those responsible for the attack to justice.
The military also announced the reinforcement of security around vulnerable communities and schools in the affected area to prevent further attacks on educational institutions.
According to the command, the attack highlights the desperation of terrorist groups facing sustained military pressure, forcing them to target soft civilian locations, including schools, in an attempt to sustain their campaign of violence.
Despite the latest incident, Operation HADIN KAI reaffirmed its commitment to dismantling terrorist networks, protecting civilians and creating a secure environment for education and other essential activities to thrive.
The military urged residents to remain vigilant and continue providing timely intelligence to security agencies, while advising the public to rely only on official updates and disregard unverified reports or misinformation concerning the ongoing operation.
The statement was signed by the Acting Military Information Officer, Headquarters Joint Task Force North-East, Operation HADIN KAI, Captain Mohammed Goni.
