Troops overpowered feeing terrorists and rescued 10 abducted National Examinations Council candidates and teachers following an attack on Lassa Government Day Secondary School in Askira/Uba Local Government Area of Borno State.
The victims, including pupils taking NECO exams and their teachers, were kidnapped when suspected ISWAP terrorists attacked the school around 9 a.m., shooting intermittently and disrupting the exam session.
Capt Muhammad Goni, Acting Military Information Officer of the Joint Task Force North East, effort Hadin Kai, confirmed the incident and stated that forces launched a synchronised air and ground search-and-rescue effort as soon as they received reports of the attack.
According to him, the Theatre Command sent strike aircraft and intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance platforms to assist ground troops who had mobilised in the region.
“The troops, with support from air platforms providing guidance, made contact with the fleeing terrorists around Daggu, leading to a fierce exchange of fire,” Goni said.
He explained that 10 victims had been successfully retrieved unharmed and were receiving medical attention, while efforts were on to locate the remaining abductees.
During the fight, troops reportedly outmanoeuvred the terrorists, inflicting injuries and retrieving seven motorcycles used by the assailants to flee.
“During the contact, troops outmanoeuvred the fleeing terrorists, inflicting casualties on them and capturing seven of their motorcycles, significantly disrupting their escape,” the statement said.
However, the military confirmed that one soldier and one CJTF member were killed during the operation.
“Regrettably, during the intense firefight, one gallant soldier and a member of the Civilian Joint Task Force made the supreme sacrifice,” the statement added.
Goni stated that security in the area had been strengthened and efforts had been escalated to track down the perpetrators and avoid such instances, emphasising that the attack highlighted terrorist groups’ continuous targeting of vulnerable populations and schools.
He asked locals to be watchful and submit credible intelligence to security services while dismissing unverified rumours.
Meanwhile, the vice principal of the afflicted school, Paul Namaske, described how the attack occurred and how terrorists kidnapped students and staff into the bush.
In a video, Namaske said the terrorists overpowered the school and moved victims into the bush before military air support intervened.
“When a military aircraft started hovering over us, the insurgents began to disperse. We then heard gunshots from soldiers, and the terrorists started running while we escaped. That was how we were rescued,” he said.
He also stated that more than 20 students and two teachers were initially taken into the forest, though the exact number of abducted persons remains unclear.
“Two teachers and about twenty-something students were taken. I cannot confirm the exact number,” he said.
The attack occurred during an ongoing NECO exam, causing panic in the school and surrounding community.
Usman Tar, the Borno State Commissioner for Information and Internal Security, confirmed that assessments are ongoing to determine the exact number of abducted individuals.
“For now, seven of them have been rescued. We cannot confirm their gender yet. Assessment is still ongoing,” he said.
He also mentioned that a government delegation had been sent to the town to investigate the situation and reassure people.
Furthermore, the Borno State Police Command stated that security personnel had been dispatched to the area, emphasising that the rapid response prevented a larger-scale kidnapping.
The command’s spokeswoman, ASP Nahum Daso, stated that security troops placed in the community prevented the terrorists from carrying out a larger-scale kidnapping.
Daso said: “Around 9 a.m. in the morning, ISWAP attacked Lassa Day Secondary School. They shot sporadically. Suspected numbers of students have been abducted.
“Security forces confronted them. For now, we have an unspecified number of students who were abducted. The Commissioner of Police deployed the Area Commander in Askira Uba; they are currently combing the bush,” he added.
Samaila Kaigama, President of the Borno South Youth Alliance, confirmed the occurrence and stated that the terrorists used military and forest guard uniforms during the operation.
He said: “Yes, there was an attack on students writing NECO exams. The terrorists came around past nine. They passed the military checkpoint. They wore military and forest guard attire. They shot sporadically.”
According to him, one instructor was slain and another was shot.
“They killed one teacher from Chibok. They shot another, but not dead yet. They also kidnapped some students and women selling on the school premises. The numbers are not yet out,” he said.
When approached, Mada Saidu, Chairman of Askira Uba Local Government, declined to comment, adding, “I am very busy now.” We are in a situation.”
The incident is the latest in a string of assaults on schools in the North-East, a region frequently targeted by insurgent groups despite ongoing military operations.
