Troops of Operation Hadin Kai have rescued 10 abducted victims, including National Examinations Council candidates and teachers, after suspected Islamic State West Africa Province terrorists attacked a secondary school in Lassa Community, Askira/Uba Local Government Area of Borno State.
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The attack occurred at about 9:00 a.m. on Monday when the terrorists reportedly stormed the Technical Secondary School in Lassa while students were writing their NECO examinations.
The insurgents were said to have shot sporadically, causing panic among students, teachers and residents before abducting some of the candidates and staff.
Following the incident, the Theatre Command of Operation Hadin Kai immediately launched a coordinated search-and-rescue operation involving ground troops and air support.
Acting Military Information Officer, Headquarters Joint Task Force North-East, Operation Hadin Kai, Captain Mohammed Goni, said strike aircraft and Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance platforms were deployed from the Air Component to support troops already mobilised to the area.
According to him, troops, guided by the overhead air platforms, later made contact with the fleeing terrorists around Daggu, leading to a fierce exchange of fire.
Goni said the operation resulted in the successful rescue of 10 victims, who were unhurt and are now receiving necessary care and support.
He added that efforts were still ongoing to rescue the remaining abducted victim and bring the perpetrators of the attack to justice.
“Immediately upon receipt of the incident, Theatre Command scrambled both strike and Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance aircraft from the Air Component of Operation Hadin Kai to support troops mobilised to the area for a coordinated search and rescue operation,” he said.
“The troops, with support from the air platforms overhead providing guidance, made contact around Daggu and after the firefight, the operation has so far resulted in the successful rescue of 10 victims, who were unhurt and are currently receiving the necessary care and support, while efforts remain ongoing to rescue the remaining victim and bring the perpetrators to justice.”
The military said troops outmanoeuvred the fleeing terrorists during the encounter, inflicted casualties on them and recovered seven motorcycles used by the insurgents in their attempted escape.
However, the operation was not without casualties, as one soldier of Operation Hadin Kai and one member of the Civilian Joint Task Force were killed during the gun battle.
Goni described the fallen personnel as gallant heroes whose courage and sacrifice reflected the determination of security forces and local volunteers to protect civilians and restore peace across the North-East.
“Regrettably, during the intense firefight, one gallant soldier of Operation Hadin Kai and a member of the Civilian Joint Task Force made the supreme sacrifice during the intense exchange of fire with the terrorists,” he said.
He said troops, in collaboration with other security agencies and relevant stakeholders, had intensified operations and sustained pressure on the terrorist elements responsible for the attack.
The military also said security measures had been reinforced across the affected area to protect vulnerable communities, safeguard schools and prevent a recurrence.
The command described the attack on students and teachers as a sign of desperation by terrorist groups facing sustained military pressure in the region.
It said the targeting of a school showed that the insurgents had resorted to attacking soft targets and vulnerable members of society in an attempt to sustain their campaign of violence.
The military, however, maintained that such attacks would not weaken the resolve of Operation Hadin Kai to dismantle terrorist networks and restore lasting peace and security across the North-East.
“Operation Hadin Kai remains steadfast in its mandate to protect civilians, safeguard critical national infrastructure, and create a secure environment for educational activities and other essential services to thrive,” Goni said.
He urged members of the public to remain vigilant and provide timely and credible information to security agencies to aid prompt operational response.
He also cautioned the public against spreading unverified reports and misinformation on the incident, saying further updates would be issued through official channels as operations continue.
Earlier reports from the area had indicated that an unspecified number of students were abducted after the attackers invaded the school during the examination. Security operatives, including the military, police and Civilian Joint Task Force, were thereafter deployed to comb nearby forests and rescue the victims.
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