Nigerian troops have rescued 10 National Examinations Council (NECO) candidates and teachers abducted during an attack on Lassa community in Askira/Uba Local Government Area of Borno State, following a swift counterterrorism operation against suspected Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) fighters.
The victims were kidnapped on Monday morning when heavily armed insurgents stormed the community as students were sitting for their NECO examinations at the Government Technical Secondary School.
According to the military, troops under Operation HADIN KAI immediately launched a coordinated search-and-rescue mission, deploying ground forces alongside fighter aircraft and Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (ISR) assets to track the fleeing attackers.
The operation led security forces to the Daggu axis, where they engaged the terrorists in a fierce firefight. Military authorities said the combined land and air assault forced the insurgents to retreat, enabling troops to safely recover 10 of the abducted victims.
The rescued students and teachers were found unharmed and have since been taken to a secure location, where they are receiving medical attention and psychosocial support.
Security forces, however, said one abducted victim remains in captivity, with rescue efforts continuing.
During the operation, troops reportedly inflicted significant losses on the terrorists and recovered seven motorcycles believed to have been used during the raid, disrupting the group’s escape.
The rescue mission came at a cost, as one soldier attached to Operation HADIN KAI and a member of the Civilian Joint Task Force (CJTF) were killed while confronting the insurgents.
Military authorities paid tribute to the fallen personnel, describing their sacrifice as a reflection of the courage and commitment displayed daily by security forces and local volunteers in the fight against terrorism across Nigeria’s North-East.
The military has since reinforced security around schools and vulnerable communities in the area while intensifying clearance operations in collaboration with other security agencies.
Officials described the latest attack as evidence that terrorist groups, weakened by sustained military offensives, are increasingly targeting soft civilian locations in an attempt to spread fear and disrupt normal life.
Operation HADIN KAI reaffirmed its commitment to dismantling terrorist networks operating in the North-East and pledged to continue operations until the remaining abducted victim is rescued and those responsible for the attack are brought to justice.
The military also appealed to residents to remain vigilant and support ongoing operations by providing credible and timely intelligence, while urging the public to avoid spreading unverified information capable of undermining security efforts.
