Borno School Bandits Invasion: Troops Rescue 10 Students, Teachers, Loose Personnel

A coordinated search by troops of the Joint Task Force North East, Operation HADIN KAI (OPHK), has led to the rescue of 10 National Examinations Council (NECO) candidates and teachers abducted by suspected ISWAP terrorists during an attack on Lassa Community in Askira Uba Local Government Area of Borno State.

The Acting Military Information Officer, Headquarters Joint Task Force North East, Operation HADIN KAI, Captain Mohammed Goni, disclosed this in a statement on Monday, saying the attack occurred at about 9:00 a.m. while students of the Technical Secondary School were writing their NECO examinations.

According to the statement, the Theatre Command immediately activated a coordinated search and rescue mission by deploying ground troops alongside strike aircraft and Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (ISR) platforms from the Air Component of Operation HADIN KAI.

The operation led troops to make contact with the fleeing terrorists around Daggu, where a fierce gun battle ensued.

The troops, guided by aerial surveillance, successfully rescued 10 abducted victims unharmed.

The rescued candidates and teachers are currently receiving appropriate care and support.

Military authorities said efforts are ongoing to rescue the remaining abducted victims and apprehend those responsible for the attack.

During the encounter, troops reportedly outmanoeuvred the fleeing terrorists, inflicted casualties on them and captured seven motorcycles used during the attack, significantly disrupting the terrorists’ escape.

The operation, however, recorded casualties on the side of the security forces.

One soldier of Operation HADIN KAI and a member of the Civilian Joint Task Force (CJTF) lost their lives during the intense exchange of fire.