Follow Us on Google
Troops of Operation HADIN KAI, supported by personnel of the Nigeria Police Mobile Force (MOPOL), have foiled an attempted mass abduction by suspected Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) terrorists at the Federal Government Girls College (FGGC), Monguno, Borno State.
The military, however, confirmed that some students lost their lives after being hit by stray bullets during the exchange of gunfire between troops and the attackers.
The incident occurred at about 1:30 a.m. on Saturday at the school, which is currently serving as temporary hostel accommodation for students of the Federal Polytechnic, Monguno.
In a statement issued on Sunday, the Acting Military Information Officer of Operation HADIN KAI, Captain Mohammed Goni, said the terrorists gained access to the facility with the assistance of suspected collaborators and attempted to whisk away the students under the cover of darkness.
According to him, security personnel on duty immediately engaged the attackers, while the Sector 3 Quick Reaction Force swiftly reinforced the school, forcing the terrorists to abandon the operation.
“The terrorists were forced to abandon their criminal mission and flee in confusion without achieving their objective,” the statement read.
Captain Goni said the gun battle caused damage to sections of the school’s infrastructure but stressed that the attack was successfully repelled before the terrorists could abduct any student.
He disclosed that all 46 students in the facility were rescued and evacuated to Kinnasara Barracks in Monguno, where they underwent medical examinations and received appropriate care.
The military confirmed that every rescued student was medically stable and that none was taken away by the attackers.
However, it acknowledged that the exchange of gunfire claimed the lives of some students.
“Some students were fatally struck by the sporadic gunfire from the terrorists during the firefight,” the statement added.
Operation HADIN KAI extended its condolences to the families of the deceased students and assured the public that efforts were ongoing to identify and apprehend suspected collaborators believed to have aided the terrorists in gaining access to the school.
The military also disclosed that troops, working alongside other security agencies, had launched a manhunt for the fleeing terrorists while investigations into the incident continue.
It reaffirmed its commitment to sustaining offensive operations against terrorist groups operating in the North-East and strengthening security around schools and other critical public infrastructure across the region.
