Troops of Operation HADIN KAI (OPHK) have rescued 10 National Examinations Council (NECO) candidates and teachers abducted during an attack by suspected ISWAP terrorists on Lassa Community in Askira Uba Local Government Area of Borno State.
The attack occurred at about 9:00 a.m. on Monday when the insurgents stormed the Technical Secondary School in Lassa while students were writing their NECO examinations.
According to a statement issued by the Acting Military Information Officer, Headquarters Joint Task Force North East, Operation HADIN KAI, Captain Mohammed Goni, the Theatre Command immediately deployed troops to the area and scrambled both strike aircraft and Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (ISR) platforms from the Air Component of the operation to support a coordinated search-and-rescue mission.
The troops, guided by aerial surveillance, engaged the fleeing terrorists around Daggu in a fierce firefight that led to the successful rescue of 10 victims. The rescued candidates and teachers were unharmed and are currently receiving appropriate care and support.
Captain Goni said efforts are ongoing to rescue the remaining abducted victim and apprehend those responsible for the attack.
During the operation, troops outmanoeuvred the terrorists, inflicted casualties on them and recovered seven motorcycles used by the insurgents, significantly disrupting their escape.
The military, however, confirmed that one soldier of Operation HADIN KAI and a member of the Civilian Joint Task Force (CJTF) were killed during the exchange of fire.
The statement described their sacrifice as a reflection of the commitment and courage of security personnel and local volunteers working to protect communities and restore peace across the North-East.
It added that security operations have been intensified in collaboration with other security agencies and relevant stakeholders, while additional measures have been put in place to protect vulnerable communities, schools and other critical locations from further attacks.
According to the military, the attack demonstrates the desperation of terrorist groups that have come under sustained military pressure and are increasingly targeting soft civilian locations in an attempt to continue their campaign of violence.
Operation HADIN KAI reaffirmed its commitment to protecting civilians, safeguarding educational institutions and critical national infrastructure, and restoring lasting peace across the North-East.
The military also urged members of the public to remain vigilant, provide timely and credible information to security agencies, and disregard unverified reports and misinformation, assuring that further updates would be provided through official channels as the operation progresses. Visit www.jocomms.com for more news.
