Troops of Operation HADIN KAI (OPHK) have rescued 10 National Examinations Council (NECO) candidates and teachers abducted during an attack by Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) terrorists on Lassa Community in Askira Uba Local Government Area of Borno State.
According to an official signed statement by the Acting Military Information Officer, Headquarters Joint Task Force North East, Operation HADIN KAI, Captain Mohammed Goni, the rescue operation followed the terrorists’ attack on the Technical Secondary School in Lassa at about 9:00 a.m. on Monday while students were writing their NECO examinations.
The statement said the Theatre Command immediately deployed troops to the area and scrambled strike aircraft as well as Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (ISR) platforms from the Air Component of Operation HADIN KAI to support the coordinated search and rescue mission.
The troops, guided by the air assets, made contact with the fleeing terrorists around Daggu, leading to a fierce firefight that culminated in the successful rescue of the 10 victims. The rescued candidates and teachers were unharmed and are currently receiving the necessary care and support.
The military disclosed that efforts are ongoing to rescue the remaining abducted victim and apprehend those responsible for the attack.
During the encounter, the troops outmanoeuvred the terrorists, inflicted casualties on them and recovered seven motorcycles used by the fleeing insurgents, significantly disrupting their escape.
The operation, however, recorded casualties as one soldier of Operation HADIN KAI and a member of the Civilian Joint Task Force (CJTF) lost their lives during the exchange of fire.
The military paid tribute to the fallen personnel, describing their sacrifice as a reflection of the courage, selflessness and unwavering commitment of security forces and local volunteers working to restore peace across the North-East.
The statement further noted that troops, in collaboration with other security agencies and relevant stakeholders, have intensified operations against the terrorists while reinforcing security measures around vulnerable communities and schools to prevent a recurrence of similar attacks.
Operation HADIN KAI said the incident highlights the desperation of terrorist groups that have come under sustained military pressure and have resorted to attacking soft targets in an attempt to sustain their campaign of violence.
The military reaffirmed its commitment to protecting civilians, safeguarding critical national infrastructure and creating a secure environment for educational activities and other essential services to thrive.
It also urged members of the public to remain vigilant, provide timely and credible information to security agencies and disregard unverified reports, assuring that updates on the ongoing operation would be communicated through official channels.
