Troops foil ISWAP attack on Borno school, rescue 46 students

Troops of Operation HADIN KAI, in collaboration with personnel of the Nigeria Police Mobile Force, have successfully foiled an attempted mass abduction by suspected Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) terrorists at the Federal Government Girls College (FGGC), Monguno, in Borno State.

The development was disclosed in a statement issued on Sunday by the Acting Military Information Officer of the Headquarters Joint Task Force (North East), Operation HADIN KAI, Captain Mohammed Goni.

According to the statement, the attack occurred at about 1:30 a.m. on Saturday at the FGGC facility, which is currently being used by the Borno State Government as temporary hostel accommodation for students of the Federal Polytechnic, Monguno.

The statement revealed that the terrorists gained access to the premises with the assistance of suspected collaborators, with the intention of abducting students.

“Alert security personnel immediately engaged the terrorists with coordinated and overwhelming firepower, while the Sector 3 Quick Reaction Force reinforced the response,” the statement noted.

The military said the swift and decisive action of the troops and police operatives overwhelmed the attackers, forcing them to abandon their mission and flee without successfully carrying out any abduction.

Although parts of the school infrastructure were damaged during the exchange of gunfire, the security forces were able to contain the situation effectively.

“Following the operation, troops successfully rescued and evacuated all 46 students to Kinnasara Barracks, Monguno, where they received immediate medical attention,” the statement added.

“All the rescued students have been confirmed medically stable, and no abduction occurred.”

However, the military confirmed that some students lost their lives after being struck by stray bullets during the firefight.

Operation HADIN KAI extended its condolences to the families of the deceased and reassured the public of its continued commitment to safeguarding lives and critical infrastructure across the North-East.

The military also disclosed that efforts are ongoing to identify and apprehend suspected collaborators, while troops and other security agencies are pursuing the fleeing terrorists.

Reaffirming its resolve, Operation HADIN KAI stated that it remains committed to sustaining pressure on terrorist groups, degrading their operational capabilities, and ensuring that schools and other vital institutions in the region remain safe and secure.