Troops rescue 10 abducted NECO candidates; soldier, CJTF member killed

By Kazeem Ugbodaga

Troops of Operation HADIN KAI (OPHK) have rescued 10 National Examinations Council (NECO) candidates and teachers abducted by suspected Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) terrorists during Monday’s attack on Technical Secondary School, Lassa, in Askira Uba Local Government Area of Borno State.

The Nigerian Army disclosed on Monday that the victims were freed during a coordinated search-and-rescue operation launched immediately after the terrorists attacked the school at about 9:00 a.m. while students were writing their NECO examinations.

According to the Army, the Theatre Command swiftly deployed both strike aircraft and Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (ISR) aircraft from the Air Component of Operation HADIN KAI to support ground troops in tracking down the attackers.

Guided by aerial surveillance, the troops engaged the fleeing terrorists around DAGGU, leading to a fierce gun battle that forced the insurgents to abandon the abducted victims.

The military said the operation resulted in the successful rescue of 10 victims, who were unharmed and are currently receiving necessary care and support.

Efforts, it added, are continuing to rescue the remaining abductee and apprehend those responsible for the attack.

During the operation, the troops outmanoeuvred the fleeing terrorists, inflicted casualties on them and recovered seven motorcycles, significantly disrupting their escape.

However, the military said the operation came at a heavy cost.

“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 exchange of fire with the terrorists,” the Army said.

It described the fallen personnel as courageous heroes whose sacrifice reflected the commitment of security forces and local volunteers working to restore peace across the North-East.

The Army said troops had intensified offensive operations in collaboration with other security agencies and relevant stakeholders to track down the fleeing terrorists and prevent further attacks.

Security has also been reinforced across the affected communities, with additional measures put in place to protect schools and other vulnerable locations.

According to the military, the latest attack demonstrates the increasing desperation of terrorist groups that have come under sustained pressure from ongoing military offensives.

“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 said.

It stressed that such attacks would not weaken the resolve of Operation HADIN KAI to dismantle terrorist networks and restore lasting peace in the North-East.

The Army reaffirmed its commitment to protecting civilians, securing critical national infrastructure and ensuring a safe environment for educational activities across the region.

It also urged members of the public to remain vigilant, provide timely and credible information to security agencies and disregard unverified reports relating to the incident.

The statement was signed by Captain Mohammed Goni, Acting Military Information Officer, Headquarters Joint Task Force North East, Operation HADIN KAI, Maiduguri.