Three students were killed in the early hours of Saturday after suspected Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) terrorists attempted to abduct dozens of students at the Federal Government Girls College (FGGC), Monguno, Borno State.
The school, currently serving as temporary accommodation for students of the Federal Polytechnic, Monguno, came under attack at about 1:30 a.m. before troops of Operation HADIN KAI, supported by personnel of the Nigeria Police Mobile Force (MOPOL), repelled the assault and rescued 46 students.
Confirming the incident, the Acting Deputy Director, Army Public Relations, Headquarters Theatre Command, Operation HADIN KAI, Captain Reuben Kovangiya, said troops responded swiftly after receiving a distress call and successfully thwarted the terrorists’ plan to carry out a mass abduction.
According to him, the insurgents infiltrated the school premises through a breach in the perimeter fence but met stiff resistance from troops and police personnel deployed to the area.
> “The troops, in conjunction with personnel of the Nigeria Police Force, swiftly engaged the terrorists in a fierce firefight, forcing them to abandon their mission and flee,” Kovangiya said.
He disclosed that although 46 students were rescued unharmed, three students lost their lives during the exchange of gunfire, while one of the terrorists was neutralised. Several items, including motorcycles and weapons, were also reportedly recovered during the operation.
Kovangiya added that the rescued students had been evacuated to a secure military facility, where they were receiving medical attention and psychological support.
He assured residents that troops had intensified clearance operations around Monguno and adjoining communities to track down the fleeing insurgents and prevent further attacks.
Also reacting, security sources said the attempted abduction bore the hallmarks of previous ISWAP operations targeting vulnerable communities and schools in the North-East.
The sources noted that intelligence and surveillance operations had been heightened across the region, urging residents to remain vigilant and promptly report suspicious movements to security agencies.
The attempted attack has once again raised concerns over the safety of schools in Borno State, despite sustained military offensives against insurgent groups operating in the region.
