Army foils kidnappers, rescues 10 abducted NECO students in Borno

Students of the Government Day Secondary School in Lassa, Askira/Uba Local Government Area of Borno State have been rescued by members of the Nigerian Army following their abduction in the school.

The students were abducted yesterday as gunmen launched an attack on the school during the conduct of the Senior School Certificate Examination (SSCE) by the National Examinations Council (NECO).

According to a statement issued by the Acting Military Information Officer of Operation Hadin Kai, Mohammed Goni, troops moved quickly to the location after reports of the incident reached them.

Goni stated that the rescue exercise was done in collaboration with the Air Component of Operation Hadin Kai.

Goni further said there was a lot of exchange of fire between soldiers and the fleeing criminals.

The information officer said a soldier and a member of the Civilian Joint Task Force “made the supreme sacrifice during the intense exchange of fire with the terrorists”.

Goni said 10 students were rescued and that the efforts are ongoing to rescue the remaining victim.

“Immediately upon receipt of the incident, theatre command scrambled both strike and Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (ISR) aircrafts from the Air Component of OPHK to support troops mobilised to the area for a coordinated search and rescue operation,” the statement reads.

“The troops, with support from the air platforms overhead providing guidance, made contact around Daggu and after the firefight, the operation has so far resulted in the successful rescue of ten victims, who were unhurt and are currently receiving the necessary care and support, while efforts remain ongoing to rescue the remaining victim and bring the perpetrators to justice.

“During the contact, troops out maneuvered the fleeing terrorists inflicting casualties on them and capturing seven of their motorcycles, significantly disrupting their escape.”