BREAKING: Troops rescue 10 abducted NECO candidates, teachers in Borno
Troops of Operation HADIN KAI have rescued 10 of the 11 National Examinations Council (NECO) candidates and teachers abducted by suspected ISWAP terrorists during an attack on Lassa community in Askira/Uba Local Government Area of Borno State.
Western Post had earlier reported that the terrorists attacked the school while students were writing their NECO examination, killing a teacher and abducting candidates and teachers.
The military said efforts are ongoing to rescue the remaining abducted victim and apprehend those responsible for the attack. Acting Military Information Officer, Captain Mohammed Goni, said the attack occurred at about 9 a.m. while students of the Technical Secondary School were writing their examinations.
According to the statement, the Theatre Command immediately launched a coordinated search-and-rescue operation by deploying ground troops, strike aircraft and Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (ISR) platforms from the Air Component of Operation HADIN KAI.
The troops tracked the fleeing terrorists to the Daggu area, where they engaged them in a fierce gun battle before successfully rescuing 10 abducted victims unharmed.
“The troops, guided by aerial surveillance, successfully rescued 10 abducted victims unharmed. The rescued candidates and teachers are currently receiving appropriate care and support,” the statement said.
The military said troops outmanoeuvred the terrorists, inflicted casualties on them and recovered seven motorcycles used in the attack, disrupting their escape. The operation, however, claimed the lives of one soldier of Operation HADIN KAI and a member of the Civilian Joint Task Force (CJTF).
Operation HADIN KAI said troops, in collaboration with other security agencies and relevant stakeholders, have intensified operations across the affected area while reinforcing security around vulnerable communities and schools to prevent similar attacks. It added that the attack reflected the desperation of insurgents facing sustained military pressure and reaffirmed its commitment to dismantling terrorist networks and restoring lasting peace across the North-East.
