Troops of Operation Hadin Kai have rescued 10 National Examinations Council (NECO) candidates and teachers who were abducted by suspected Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) terrorists during an attack on a secondary school in Borno State.
Security sources said the victims were rescued after troops launched a swift operation following the attack on the Technical Secondary School in Lassa Community, Askira/Uba Local Government Area, on Monday morning.
According to the sources, the attack took place at about 9:00 a.m. while students were writing their NECO examination. The insurgents reportedly stormed the school, causing panic among students, teachers and residents.
The attackers were said to have abducted several examination candidates and teachers before fleeing into the surrounding bush.
Intelligence sources disclosed that troops of Operation Hadin Kai quickly mobilised and began a rescue mission after receiving reports of the incident. The operation led to the safe rescue of 10 of the abducted victims.
The sources added that efforts were continuing to locate and rescue any remaining victims, while troops maintained security operations across the area to prevent further attacks.
“The rescue operation led to the safe recovery of 10 abducted NECO candidates and teachers. Troops are continuing search operations to locate any other victims and ensure the area remains secure,” one of the sources said.
The attack has once again highlighted the security challenges facing parts of Borno State, despite sustained military operations against terrorist groups operating in the North-East.
Lassa, located in Askira/Uba Local Government Area, has experienced attacks by insurgents in the past because of its proximity to areas where terrorist groups have maintained strongholds. Communities in the area have repeatedly appealed for increased security to protect residents, schools and public facilities.
Education has remained one of the major targets of insurgent groups in the North-East over the years. Schools have frequently come under attack, while students and teachers have been kidnapped, forcing some communities to shut down educational activities for long periods.
The latest incident is particularly worrying because it occurred while candidates were sitting for one of Nigeria’s most important secondary school examinations. The disruption could affect the academic progress of students who have spent months preparing for the examination.
NECO conducts the Senior School Certificate Examination for thousands of candidates across Nigeria every year. The examination is one of the key requirements for admission into higher institutions and for securing employment opportunities.
In recent years, the Federal Government and security agencies have stepped up efforts to improve the safety of schools through the Safe Schools Initiative and increased military presence in vulnerable communities. However, attacks on educational institutions continue to occur in some parts of the North-East and North-West.
Operation Hadin Kai, the military operation leading the counter-insurgency campaign in the North-East, has continued to carry out offensives against both Boko Haram and ISWAP fighters. The troops have recorded several successes in recent months, including the rescue of kidnapped civilians, the recovery of weapons and ammunition, and the destruction of terrorist camps.
Military authorities have maintained that operations against insurgents will continue until the remaining terrorist cells are dismantled and communities can live without fear of attacks.
Residents of Askira/Uba and neighbouring communities have expressed hope that the ongoing search operation will lead to the rescue of any victims who may still be in captivity.
The latest rescue has also been welcomed as a sign of the military’s determination to respond quickly to attacks on civilians, particularly students and teachers whose safety remains critical to restoring normal life in communities affected by insurgency.
As security operations continue, authorities are expected to strengthen surveillance around schools and examination centres in vulnerable areas to prevent similar incidents and ensure that candidates can complete their examinations without fear.
The rescue operation has provided relief to the affected families, even as troops continue combing nearby forests and surrounding communities in search of any remaining abductees. Security sources said military operations in the area remain active, with personnel determined to deny the terrorists freedom of movement and protect residents from further attacks.