Students k!lled by ISWAP terrorists, 46 rescued as troops foil mass abduction at FGGC Borno

Troops of Operation HADIN KAI (OPHK), supported by personnel of the Nigeria Police Mobile Force (MOPOL), have foiled an attempted mass abduction of polytechnic students by suspected ISWAP terrorists at the Federal Government Girls College (FGGC), Monguno, rescuing 46 students.

Captain Mohammed Goni, Acting Military, Information Officer, Headquarters Joint Task Force (North East) Operation HADIN KAI, who disclosed this in a statement on Sunday, 19 July, 2026 said the facility is currently being utilized as temporary hostel accommodation for students of the Federal Polytechnic, Monguno.

The terrorists stormed the school at about 1:30 a.m. on  Sunday, July 19 after allegedly gaining access with the assistance of suspected collaborators. 

Security personnel on guard immediately engaged the attackers with heavy fire, while the Sector 3 Quick Reaction Force (QRF) rapidly reinforced the location. 

The coordinated response forced the terrorists to abandon the operation and flee without taking any of the students.

Following the operation, all 46 students were rescued and evacuated to Kinnasara Barracks in Monguno, where they underwent medical assessment and received necessary care. The students have all been confirmed medically stable.

According to the statement, some students were fatally struck by the sporadic gunfire from the terrorists during the firefight.

“Troops of Operation HADIN KAI (OPHK), in collaboration with personnel of the Nigeria Police Mobile Force (MOPOL), successfully foiled an attempted mass abduction by ISWAP terrorists at the Federal Government Girls College (FGGC), Monguno, at about 0130 hours (1:30 a.m.) on 19 July 2026,” the statement read.

“The FGGC facility is currently being utilized by the Borno State Government as temporary hostel accommodation for students of the Federal Polytechnic, Monguno.

“The terrorists reportedly gained access to the facility with the assistance of suspected collaborators in an attempt to abduct students. 

“Alert security personnel immediately engaged the terrorists with coordinated and overwhelming firepower, effectively stalling their advance with Sector 3 Quick Reaction Force (QRF) immediately reinforcing the school. Confronted by the superior combat capability and determined resistance of the security forces, the terrorists were forced to abandon their criminal mission and flee in confusion without achieving their objective.

“During the encounter, parts of the school infrastructure sustained damage but the attempt was well contained by troops in conjunction with the Nigeria Police Force personnel.

“Following the operation, troops successfully rescued and evacuated all 46 students to Kinnasara Barracks, Monguno, where they received immediate medical assessment and appropriate care. 

“All rescued students have been confirmed medically stable and no student was abducted. 

“Regrettably, some students were fatally struck by the sporadic gunfire from the terrorists during the firefight.

“Operation HADIN KAI extends its deepest condolences to the families of the deceased and reassures the public that all necessary measures are being taken to safeguard the lives of residents and protect critical public institutions across the North East in liaison with the Borno State Government. 

“Exploitation of the incident is ongoing to identify and apprehend the suspected collaborators, while troops and other security agencies are actively tracking the fleeing terrorists.

“Operation HADIN KAI remains steadfast in its commitment to sustaining relentless pressure on terrorist elements, denying them freedom of action, dismantling their operational capability, and ensuring that educational institutions and other critical infrastructure across the North East remain safe and secure.”