Troops of Operation HADIN KAI have rescued 10 of the 11 NECO candidates and teachers abducted by suspected ISWAP terrorists during Monday’s attack on a secondary school in Lassa, Borno State, while efforts continue to locate the remaining victim.
Troops of Operation HADIN KAI have rescued 10 National Examinations Council (NECO) candidates and teachers 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. Military authorities said one abducted victim remains missing as search operations continue.
According to the Acting Military Information Officer of Operation HADIN KAI, Captain Mohammed Goni, the attack occurred at about 9:00 a.m. while students were writing their NECO examinations.
The Theatre Command immediately deployed ground troops, supported by strike aircraft and Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (ISR) platforms, to launch a coordinated search-and-rescue operation.
Guided by aerial surveillance, troops tracked the fleeing terrorists to the Daggu area, where a fierce gun battle followed. The military said 10 abducted candidates and teachers were rescued unharmed, while seven motorcycles used by the attackers were recovered during the operation.
The rescue operation followed the earlier attack on a secondary school in Lassa, where suspected ISWAP fighters abducted candidates and teachers during the ongoing NECO examinations. The latest development represents a significant operational response by security forces as efforts continue to secure the remaining victim.
Captain Mohammed Goni disclosed that troops inflicted casualties on the fleeing terrorists during the operation. He also confirmed that one soldier of Operation HADIN KAI and a member of the Civilian Joint Task Force (CJTF) lost their lives during the rescue mission.
The military said the rescued victims are receiving appropriate care and support, while troops have intensified efforts to rescue the remaining abductee and apprehend those responsible for the attack.
Operation HADIN KAI said search-and-rescue efforts remain ongoing as troops continue to pursue the fleeing terrorists and work toward securing the release of the remaining abducted victim.