Troops of Operation HADIN KAI, in collaboration with 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 incident occurred at about 1:30 a.m. on Saturday, 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.

The Acting Media Information Officer, Headquarters Joint Task Force North East Operation HADIN KAI, Capt. Mohammed Goni, disclosed this in a statement on Sunday.

According to him, the terrorists allegedly gained access to the facility with the assistance of suspected collaborators in an attempt to abduct the students.

“Alert security personnel immediately engaged the terrorists with coordinated and overwhelming firepower, effectively stalling their advance, with Sector 3 Quick Reaction Force immediately reinforcing the school. Confronted by the superior combat capability and determined resistance of the security forces, the terrorists were forced to abandon their criminal mission and flee in confusion without achieving their objective,” Goni said.

He noted that although parts of the school’s infrastructure were damaged during the exchange of gunfire, the attack was successfully contained by troops and police personnel.

Goni said all 46 students in the facility were rescued and evacuated to Kinnasara Barracks in Monguno, where they received medical assessment and appropriate care.

“All rescued students have been confirmed medically stable and no student was abducted. Regrettably, some students were fatally struck by the sporadic gunfire from the terrorists during the firefight,” he added.

Operation HADIN KAI expressed condolences to the families of the deceased students and assured residents that efforts were ongoing to protect lives and critical public infrastructure across the North-East.

The military also disclosed that operations were underway to identify and apprehend suspected collaborators, while troops and other security agencies were pursuing the fleeing terrorists.

The command reaffirmed its commitment to sustaining military operations against terrorist groups and ensuring the safety of educational institutions across the region.