Troops of Operation HADIN KAI, working alongside 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 attempted attack occurred at about 1:30 a.m. on 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.
This was confirmed in a statement issued on Sunday by the Acting Military Information Officer of Operation HADIN KAI, Captain Mohammed Goni.
Military authorities revealed that the insurgents managed to breach the premises with the help of suspected internal collaborators.
However, alert security personnel on-site immediately engaged the attackers.
The initial defense was quickly reinforced by the Sector 3 Quick Reaction Force, forcing the heavily resisted terrorists to retreat and abandon their abduction mission.
Following the intense gun battle, security forces successfully evacuated 46 students to the Kinnasara Barracks in Monguno for medical assessment and psychosocial care.
Officials confirmed that all rescued students are currently in stable medical condition and that no student was successfully abducted by the fleeing insurgents.
Regrettably, the military confirmed that a number of students lost their lives after being struck by stray bullets fired by the terrorists during the crossfire.
While extending condolences to the families of the victims, the military command stated that an investigation is actively underway to track down the suspected collaborators.
Concurrently, a manhunt has been launched by joint security agencies to apprehend the retreating insurgents.
Security officials reiterated their commitment to maintaining strict protective measures around educational institutions and critical infrastructure across the North-East region.
