Terrorists Abandon Us After Military Jets Flew Over The Forest - Abducted Borno VP
Following an attack on Government Day Secondary School in Borno State, Vice Principal Paul Namaske recounted how military air support facilitated his rescue alongside several students . Insurgents, believed to be from the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) , abducted individuals during NECO exams before being forced to scatter by aerial action .
Ground troops engaged the militants, leading to the successful rescue of 10 abductees, though the incident resulted in the loss of a soldier and a Civilian Joint Task Force member. Authorities have launched a, follow-up operation in the region to secure the remaining individuals.
Speaking in a one-minute, 20-second video, Namaske said the attackers abducted two teachers and more than 20 students who were writing the National Examinations Council (NECO) examination when the school came under attack.
Recounting the ordeal, he said the intervention of a military aircraft disrupted the terrorists’ movement and created an opportunity for the captives to escape.
“Today, being June 29, the terrorists took us into the bush. When a military aircraft started hovering over us, the insurgents started dispersing. While this was happening, we heard gunshots from the soldiers, so they (the terrorists) began to run while we started escaping. In the process, the soldiers rescued us,” Namaske said.
Vice Principal Paul Namaske estimated that insurgents abducted approximately 20 students and two teachers, based on a rough count made when captives were gathered together.
In a swift response, the Nigerian Army's Operation Hadin Kai rescued 10 of the abducted individuals, including students and teachers, during a coordinated operation.
This breakthrough was confirmed on Monday by Captain Muhammed Goni , the Acting Military Information Officer for the North-East Joint Task Force, who stated that efforts to secure all victims remain active.
According to him, the rescue mission involved both ground forces and air assets, which provided intelligence, surveillance and operational guidance after troops tracked the abductors to the Daggu area of Askira/Uba Local Government Area.
He also disclosed that one soldier and a member of the Civilian Joint Task Force lost their lives during the operation.
Goni said, “Troops of Operation HADIN KAI (OPHK) have successfully rescued 10 National Examinations Council (NECO) candidates and teachers abducted during an ISWAP attack on Lassa Community in Askira/Uba Local Government Area of Borno State.
“Immediately upon receipt of the report of the incident, the Theatre Command scrambled both strike and Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (ISR) aircraft from the Air Component of OPHK to support troops mobilised to the area for a coordinated search-and-rescue operation.”
He further stated: “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 10 victims, who were unhurt and are currently receiving the necessary care and support, while efforts remain ongoing to rescue the remaining victims and bring the perpetrators to justice.”
According to Goni, troops outmanoeuvred the fleeing terrorists during the exchange, inflicted casualties on them and recovered seven motorcycles.
“Regrettably, during the intense firefight, one gallant soldier of OPHK and a member of the Civilian Joint Task Force paid the supreme sacrifice in the exchange of fire with the terrorists,” he added.