BREAKING:Troops Rescue 10 NECO Candidates Abducted by ISWAP in Borno, Search Ongoing for One Missing 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, Askira/Uba Local Government Area of Borno State.

The military disclosed this in a statement issued on Monday by the Acting Military Information Officer, Headquarters Joint Task Force North East, Operation HADIN KAI, Captain Mohammed Goni.

According to the statement, the terrorists attacked the Technical Secondary School in Lassa at about 9:00 a.m. on Monday while students were writing their NECO examinations and abducted an unspecified number of candidates and teachers.

Captain Goni said the Theatre Command immediately mobilised troops to the area and deployed strike aircraft as well as Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (ISR) platforms from the Air Component of Operation HADIN KAI to support a coordinated search-and-rescue mission.

He said troops, guided by real-time intelligence from the air, intercepted the terrorists around Daggu, where a fierce gun battle ensued.

“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 statement said.

The military added that the troops outmanoeuvred the fleeing terrorists, inflicted casualties on them and recovered seven motorcycles used during the attack, significantly disrupting their escape.

The operation, however, recorded casualties, with one soldier of Operation HADIN KAI and a member of the Civilian Joint Task Force (CJTF) killed during the exchange of fire.

The military described their deaths as the supreme sacrifice, praising their courage, selflessness and unwavering commitment to protecting innocent civilians and restoring peace across the North-East.

Captain Goni said troops, working with other security agencies and relevant stakeholders, had intensified operations against the terrorists responsible for the attack, while security had been reinforced around vulnerable communities and schools to prevent further incidents.

He noted that the attack reflected the desperation of terrorist groups weakened by sustained military offensives, forcing them to target soft targets in a bid to sustain their campaign of violence.

Operation HADIN KAI reaffirmed its commitment to defeating terrorism, protecting civilians and creating a secure environment for education and other essential activities across the North-East.

The military also urged members of the public to remain vigilant, provide credible and timely information to security agencies, and disregard unverified reports while ongoing operations continue.