Troops of Operation HADIN KAI (OPHK) have saved 10 students and instructors abducted during an attack by suspected terrorists on Lassa neighborhood in Askira/Uba Local Government Area of Borno State.
The victims were amongst candidates sitting for the National Examinations Council (NECO) examination at the Technical Secondary School in Lassa when believed fighters of the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) assaulted the neighborhood at about 9:00 a.m. on Monday.
According to a statement provided by Captain Mohammed Goni, Acting Armed Force Details Officer at Head Office Joint Job Force North East, Operation HADIN KAI, soldiers promptly released a collaborated search-and-rescue operation instantly after getting reports of the occurrence.
The armed force stated the Theatre Command deployed both strike aircraft and Intelligence, Monitoring and Reconnaissance (ISR) platforms from the Air Element of OPHK to support ground troops mobilised to the location.
“With support from the air platforms providing assistance overhead, troops reached the terrorists around Daggu,” the declaration said.
Following an intense exchange of shooting, soldiers effectively rescued 10 of the abducted victims unhurt. The rescued students and teachers are currently receiving needed care and assistance.
The military divulged that efforts are ongoing to save the staying victim and nab those responsible for the attack.
During the operation, troops supposedly outmanoeuvred the leaving insurgents, caused casualties on them and caught seven motorcycles used by the terrorists, considerably interrupting their escape.
Nevertheless, the armed force stated the operation taped casualties on the side of the security forces, as one soldier and a member of the Civilian Joint Job Force (CJTF) lost their lives throughout the intense firefight.
“Their nerve, selflessness and unwavering dedication exhibit the collective resolve of security forces and regional volunteers who continue to risk their lives daily to secure innocent citizens and bring back peace throughout the North East,” the declaration kept in mind.
Operation HADIN KAI further specified that troops, in partnership with other security agencies and appropriate stakeholders, have magnified operations versus the terrorists while reinforcing security steps across impacted neighborhoods to safeguard schools and other vulnerable targets.
The military described the attack on trainees as an indication of desperation by terrorist groups facing sustained pressure from continuous military offensives.
It stressed that attacks on soft targets would not damage the resolve of the militaries to dismantle terrorist networks and restore enduring peace throughout the North-East region.
Operation HADIN KAI likewise urged members of the general public to stay vigilant and continue providing timely and reliable details to security companies to assist in timely responses to security dangers.
The military additional advised citizens to overlook unverified reports and rely only on official updates relating to the event as ongoing operations continue in the location.