Troops of Operation HADIN KAI, working alongside personnel of the Nigeria Police Mobile Force (MOPOL), have foiled an attempted mass abduction by suspected ISWAP terrorists at the Federal Government Girls College (FGGC), Monguno, Borno State.
The attack occurred at about 1:30 a.m. on Sunday at the FGGC facility, which is currently being used by the Borno State Government as temporary hostel accommodation for students of the Federal Polytechnic, Monguno.
According to a statement signed by the Acting Military Information Officer of Operation HADIN KAI, Captain Mohammed Goni, the terrorists allegedly gained access to the school with the assistance of suspected collaborators in a bid to abduct students.
The statement said alert security personnel immediately engaged the attackers with coordinated firepower, while the Sector 3 Quick Reaction Force swiftly reinforced the troops at the scene. Overwhelmed by the superior response of the security forces, the terrorists reportedly abandoned their mission and fled.
Although parts of the school infrastructure were damaged during the exchange of gunfire, the attempted abduction was successfully foiled.
The military disclosed that all 46 students in the facility were rescued and evacuated to Kinnasara Barracks in Monguno, where they received medical assessment and appropriate care. It confirmed that none of the students was abducted and that all those rescued were medically stable.
However, the operation recorded casualties, as some students were fatally struck by sporadic gunfire fired by the terrorists during the firefight.
Operation HADIN KAI extended its condolences to the families of the deceased, assuring residents that security forces remain committed to protecting lives and critical public institutions across the North-East in collaboration with the Borno State Government.
The military added that efforts were ongoing to identify and apprehend suspected collaborators who allegedly aided the terrorists, while troops and other security agencies had commenced tracking the fleeing attackers.
Operation HADIN KAI reaffirmed its resolve to sustain pressure on terrorist groups, dismantle their operational capabilities, and ensure schools and other critical infrastructure across the North-East remain safe and secure.
