Troops Overpower Fleeing Terrorists, Rescue 10 Abducted NECO Candidates in Borno

• In a daring operation, Nigerian troops rescued 10 NECO candidates and teachers after ISWAP terrorists attacked a school in Borno, while a vice principal recounted how military airstrikes forced the insurgents to flee.

The Nigerian military has successfully rescued 10 students and teachers abducted by suspected ISWAP terrorists during an attack on Government Day Secondary School, Lassa, in Askira/Uba Local Government Area of Borno State. The rescue operation, which involved a synchronised air and ground assault, forced the fleeing terrorists to abandon their captives after a fierce gun battle. The attack occurred around 9 a.m. on Monday while students were preparing to sit for their NECO Biology examination. The terrorists, who reportedly wore military and forest guard attire, passed through the community’s weekly market on motorcycles before storming the school and shooting sporadically. Tragically, one teacher was killed during the assault, while another sustained gunshot injuries.

Immediately upon receiving reports of the attack, the Theatre Command of Operation HADIN KAI launched a coordinated search-and-rescue mission. The military deployed both strike aircraft and Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (ISR) platforms to support ground troops mobilised to the area. According to Captain Muhammad Goni, Acting Military Information Officer of the Joint Task Force North East, the troops, guided by real-time intelligence from air platforms overhead, made contact with the fleeing terrorists around the Daggu area. This led to a fierce exchange of fire, during which troops outmanoeuvred the insurgents, inflicting casualties and recovering seven motorcycles used by the assailants to escape—significantly disrupting their retreat.

Paul Namaske, Vice Principal of the school, who was among those abducted, provided a harrowing firsthand account of the attack and subsequent rescue. In a video recording, Namaske stated that the attackers took two teachers and more than 20 students into the bush after overpowering the school. “Today, being June 29, the terrorists took us into the bush. When a military aircraft started hovering over us, the insurgents began to disperse. While this was happening, we heard gunshots from the soldiers, so they (the terrorists) began to run while we started escaping. In the process, the soldiers rescued us,” Namaske recounted. He estimated that approximately 20 students and two teachers were initially taken, though the exact number of abducted persons remains unclear.

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Regrettably, the operation came at a cost. The military confirmed that one soldier and a member of the Civilian Joint Task Force made the supreme sacrifice during the intense firefight with the terrorists. The rescued victims, who were found unharmed, are currently receiving medical attention and psychosocial support. Borno State Commissioner for Information and Internal Security, Usman Tar, 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. We have sent a delegation to the community to assess the situation and build confidence in the minds of the residents,” Tar stated.

The Borno State Police Command emphasised that the rapid response of security troops prevented a larger-scale kidnapping operation. Police spokesperson ASP Nahum Daso confirmed that security forces, including the military, CJTF, and the area commander in Askira/Uba, are currently combing the surrounding forests to rescue remaining abductees and apprehend the attackers. “Security forces confronted them. The Commissioner of Police deployed the Area Commander in Askira Uba; they are currently combing the bush,” Daso said.

Samaila Kaigama, President of the Borno South Youth Alliance, confirmed the occurrence and revealed that the terrorists used military and forest guard uniforms during the operation. He also noted that one instructor was killed and another was shot during the attack. “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,” Kaigama stated.

The Borno State Government has dispatched a delegation to the town to investigate the situation and reassure residents. Commissioner Tar confirmed that the government is working closely with security agencies to ensure the safe return of all abducted persons and to prevent future attacks.

The attack marks the latest in a series of assaults on schools in the North-East region, an area frequently targeted by insurgent groups despite ongoing military operations. In May, terrorists abducted 42 pupils from Mussa Primary and Junior Secondary School in the same local government area.

Amnesty International has condemned the attack, describing it as a grave assault on children’s right to education. The rights group warned that the abducted students face serious risks and noted that widespread fear of attacks has forced many schools across northern Nigeria to remain empty for years. “Schools should and must be places of safety, and no child should have to choose between their education and their life,” the organisation stated.

Security forces have intensified operations across the affected area while reinforcing security around vulnerable communities and schools to prevent similar attacks. Captain Goni assured residents that the military remains committed to protecting civilians and combating insurgency in the North-East. “The attack underscores the desperation of terrorist groups who, faced with sustained pressure from ongoing military operations, have resorted to attacking soft targets,” the military statement read.

Authorities have urged members of the public to remain watchful and submit credible intelligence to security services while dismissing unverified rumours. The Borno State Government has assured residents that efforts are ongoing to track down the perpetrators and ensure the safety of all citizens.

The National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) has commended the gallantry and swift response of troops of Operation HADIN KAI. In a statement, NANS described the rescue as “a remarkable operation demonstrating the dedication, bravery, and professionalism of our security forces in safeguarding the lives and aspirations of Nigerian students.”

Troops Overpower Fleeing Terrorists, Rescue 10 Abducted NECO Candidates in Borno