Troops of Operation HADIN KAI (OPHK), supported by personnel of the Nigeria Police Mobile Force (MOPOL), have foiled an attempted mass abduction of students by suspected Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) terrorists at the Federal Government Girls College (FGGC), Monguno, Borno State.
The attack occurred at about 1:30 a.m. on Sunday, July 19, at the school, which is currently being used by the Borno State Government as temporary hostel accommodation for students of the Federal Polytechnic, Monguno.
In a statement, Acting Military Information Officer, Headquarters Joint Task Force (North East) Operation HADIN KAI, Captain Mohammed Goni, said the terrorists reportedly gained access to the facility with the assistance of suspected collaborators in an attempt to abduct the students.
According to the statement, security personnel on guard immediately engaged the attackers with heavy gunfire, while the Sector 3 Quick Reaction Force (QRF) swiftly reinforced the school, forcing the terrorists to abandon the operation and flee without taking any student hostage.
Following the operation, all 46 students were rescued and evacuated to Kinnasara Barracks in Monguno, where they underwent medical examinations and received necessary treatment. The military confirmed that all the rescued students were medically stable.
However, the operation recorded casualties as some students were fatally hit by sporadic gunfire fired by the terrorists during the exchange of fire.
Although parts of the school infrastructure were damaged during the attack, security forces successfully prevented the planned mass abduction.
Operation HADIN KAI expressed condolences to the families of the deceased students and assured the public that efforts were ongoing to identify and apprehend suspected collaborators who allegedly aided the terrorists.
The military added that troops and other security agencies are currently pursuing the fleeing attackers as part of ongoing operations to dismantle terrorist networks in the North-East.
Reaffirming its commitment to restoring lasting peace in the region, Operation HADIN KAI said it would continue sustained military operations aimed at denying terrorist groups freedom of movement, degrading their operational capabilities and ensuring the safety of educational institutions and other critical infrastructure across the North-East.