Troops of Operation Hadin Kai (OPHK) have rescued 10 National Examinations Council (NECO) candidates and teachers abducted by suspected ISWAP terrorists during an attack on Lassa community in Askira Uba Local Government Area of Borno State.
OPHK’s Acting Military Information Officer, Capt. Mohammed Goni, disclosed thst the victims were kidnapped on Monday while writing their examinations at the Government Technical Secondary School in Lassa.
Following the attack, the Theatre Command immediately deployed ground troops, backed by strike aircraft and Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (ISR) platforms from the Air Component of OPHK, to launch a coordinated search-and-rescue operation.
The troops later engaged the fleeing terrorists around Daggu, forcing them to abandon seven motorcycles after suffering casualties. The operation led to the successful rescue of 10 victims, who were unharmed and are currently receiving appropriate care, while efforts continue to rescue the remaining abductee.
Operation Hadin Kai, however, recorded casualties during the fierce exchange of fire, with one soldier and a member of the Civilian Joint Task Force (CJTF) losing their lives in the line of duty.
The military said troops have intensified operations in collaboration with other security agencies to track down the terrorists, rescue the remaining victim and prevent similar attacks. It added that security has been reinforced around vulnerable communities and schools across the area.
The command described the attack as a sign of the terrorists’ desperation in the face of sustained military pressure, stressing that such attacks on soft targets would not weaken ongoing efforts to dismantle terrorist networks and restore lasting peace in the North-East.
Operation Hadin Kai urged members of the public to remain vigilant, provide timely and credible information to security agencies, and disregard unverified reports while ongoing operations continue.
