Troops of Operation HADIN KAI have rescued 10 students and teachers who were abducted by suspected Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) terrorists during an attack on a secondary school in Lassa Community, Askira Uba Local Government Area of Borno State.
The military said the victims were freed during a combined air and ground rescue operation launched shortly after the terrorists invaded the Technical Secondary School while candidates were sitting for the National Examinations Council (NECO) examination.
In a statement issued on Monday, June 29, the Acting Military Information Officer, Headquarters Joint Task Force North East, Operation HADIN KAI, Capt. Mohammed Goni, said the terrorists attacked the school at about 9:00 a.m. on Monday.
He said, “Immediately upon receipt of the incident, Theatre Command scrambled both strike and Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (ISR) aircraft from the Air Component of Operation HADIN KAI to support troops mobilised to the area for a coordinated search and rescue operation.”
According to Goni, troops, working with aerial support, intercepted the fleeing terrorists around Daggu, where a fierce gun battle followed.
“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 victims and bring the perpetrators to justice,” he said.
He added that the troops overwhelmed the terrorists during the encounter, killing some of them and seizing seven motorcycles used during the abduction.
“During the contact, troops outmanoeuvred the fleeing terrorists, inflicting casualties on them and capturing seven of their motorcycles, significantly disrupting their escape,” the statement said.
Goni, however, confirmed that the operation claimed the lives of one soldier and a member of the Civilian Joint Task Force.
“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,” Goni stated.
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He described their sacrifice as a reflection of “the collective resolve of security forces and local volunteers who continue to risk their lives daily to protect innocent citizens and restore peace across the North East.”
The military spokesman said troops have intensified efforts alongside other security agencies to rescue the remaining abducted victims and apprehend those responsible for the attack.
He added that security has also been reinforced around the affected community and nearby schools to prevent further attacks.
“The incident further underscores the desperation of terrorist groups who, faced with sustained pressure from ongoing military operations, have resorted to attacking soft targets and vulnerable members of society in a futile attempt to sustain their campaign of terror,” the statement read.
Despite the attack, Goni insisted that military operations would continue without relent.
“Such cowardly acts will neither deter Operation HADIN KAI’s resolve nor diminish its commitment to dismantling terrorist networks and restoring lasting peace and security across the North East,” he said.
He reaffirmed the military’s commitment to protecting civilians, securing critical infrastructure and ensuring that schools remain safe for learning.
Goni also urged residents to remain vigilant, provide credible intelligence to security agencies and ignore unverified reports, assuring that updates would be released through official channels as the operation continues.
The rescue operation followed the attack on the school earlier on Monday, during which suspected ISWAP fighters abducted students and teachers while NECO examinations were in progress, raising fresh concerns over the security of schools in parts of north-eastern Nigeria.