Students killed as troops repel ISWAP attack on Borno school, rescue 46

Soldiers of Operation Hadin Kai, alongside men of the Nigeria Police Mobile Force (MOPOL), have thwarted an abduction bid by terrorists from Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) against students at the Federal Government Girls College (FGGC), Monguno, Borno state.

In a statement on Sunday, Mohammed Goni, the acting military information officer of Operation Hadin Kai, stated that 46 students were freed during the operation.

The attackers were reported to have launched their attack on the school around 1:30am on Saturday, after gaining entry into the premises with the aid of alleged accomplices.

Goni said that the FGGC compound was temporarily serving as a boarding hostels for the students of the Federal Polytechnic, Monguno.

He further noted that some of the students died as a result of being hit by stray bullets allegedly fired by the fleeing terrorists amidst the gun battle.

It is unclear if the dead students belong to the FGGC Monguno or the polytechnic students. Attempts are being made to contact the military for more information.

“Alert security personnel immediately engaged the terrorists with coordinated and overwhelming firepower, effectively stalling their advance with Sector 3 Quick Reaction Force (QRF) immediately reinforcing the school,” the statement reads in part.

“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. During the encounter, parts of the school infrastructure sustained damage, but the attempt was well contained by troops in conjunction with the Nigeria Police Force personnel.

“Following the operation, troops successfully rescued and evacuated all 46 students to Kinnasara Barracks, Monguno, where they received immediate 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.

“Operation HADIN KAI extends its deepest condolences to the families of the deceased and reassures the public that all necessary measures are being taken to safeguard the lives of residents and protect critical public institutions across the North East in liaison with the Borno State Government.”

The army said it is making efforts to identify and apprehend the suspected collaborators while security operatives are tracking the fleeing terrorists.