Military rescues abducted NECO candidates in Borno

Troops of Operation Hadin Kai (OPHK) have rescued 10 National Examinations Council (NECO) candidates and teachers abducted during a terrorist attack on Lassa community in Askira/Uba Local Government Area of Borno State.

However, the military said one soldier and a member of the Civilian Joint Task Force (CJTF) were killed during a fierce firefight with the fleeing terrorists.

The Acting Military Information Officer of OPHK, Captain Mohammed Goni, disclosed this in a statement issued on Monday.

According to the military, the attack occurred at about 9:00 a.m. on Monday when suspected Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) terrorists riding on motorcycles stormed Lassa community, near the Adamawa State border, and attacked the Technical Secondary School where students were sitting for their NECO examinations.

The terrorists reportedly opened fire, causing panic among students, teachers and residents, killing a teacher during the assault, while an unspecified number of students and teachers were abducted.

Goni said that immediately after receiving reports of the incident, the Theatre Command deployed troops and scrambled both strike and Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (ISR) aircraft from the Air Component of Operation Hadin Kai to support a coordinated search-and-rescue mission.

“The troops, with support from air platforms providing aerial guidance, made contact with the terrorists around Daggu. Following a firefight, the operation has so far resulted in the successful rescue of 10 victims, who were unharmed and are currently receiving the necessary care and support,” he said.

He added that efforts were ongoing to rescue the remaining abductees and bring the perpetrators to justice.

According to him, the troops outmanoeuvred the fleeing terrorists during the encounter, inflicted casualties on them and captured seven motorcycles used in the attack, significantly disrupting their escape.

“Regrettably, during the intense firefight, one gallant soldier of Operation Hadin Kai and a member of the Civilian Joint Task Force made the supreme sacrifice in the course of defending innocent civilians,” Goni stated.

He commended the courage and commitment of the troops and local volunteers, describing their actions as a “reflection of the collective resolve to protect communities and restore peace across the North-East.”