Troops of Operation HADIN KAI (OPHK) have rescued 10 National Examinations Council (NECO) candidates and teachers abducted during an attack by suspected ISWAP terrorists on Lassa Community in Askira Uba Local Government Area of Borno State.
The victims were abducted on Monday while writing their examinations at the Technical Secondary School in Lassa.
According to a statement issued by the Acting Military Information Officer, Captain Mohammed Goni, troops immediately launched a coordinated search-and-rescue operation with support from strike aircraft and Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (ISR) platforms deployed by the Air Component of OPHK.
The military said troops made contact with the fleeing terrorists around Daggu, where a firefight ensued, leading to the successful rescue of 10 victims. The rescued candidates and teachers were unharmed and are currently receiving necessary care and support.
The statement added that troops inflicted casualties on the terrorists during the encounter and captured seven motorcycles used by the insurgents, disrupting their escape.
The military, however, disclosed that one victim is still unaccounted for, adding that efforts are ongoing to secure the person’s release and apprehend those responsible for the attack.
The operation also recorded casualties on the side of the security forces, with one soldier of Operation HADIN KAI and a member of the Civilian Joint Task Force killed during the exchange of gunfire.
The military said security operations have since been intensified across the affected area in collaboration with other security agencies, while additional measures have been put in place to protect vulnerable communities and schools from further attacks.
Operation HADIN KAI described the attack as another sign of the desperation of terrorist groups under sustained military pressure, insisting that such attacks would not weaken ongoing efforts to dismantle insurgent networks and restore lasting peace in the North-East.
The military urged members of the public to remain vigilant, provide credible information to security agencies, and rely only on official updates regarding the incident.