1 Soldier Killed as Troops Rescue 10 Abducted NECO Candidates in Borno State

1 Soldier Killed as Troops Rescue 10 Abducted  NECO Candidates in Borno State.

Troops of Operation Hadin Kai have rescued 10 students and teachers abducted by suspected Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) terrorists during an attack on a secondary school in Lassa, Askira/Uba Local Government Area of Borno State, where candidates were writing the National Examinations Council (NECO) examination.

According to the Acting Military Information Officer of Operation Hadin Kai, Captain Mohammed Goni, the torrorists stormed the Technical Secondary School at about 9 a.m. on motorcycles, opened fire, killed a teacher and abducted an unspecified number of students and teachers.

He said troops, backed by Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (ISR) aircraft from the Air Component of Operation Hadin Kai, launched an immediate rescue mission and engaged the terrorists near Daggu.

“Troops made contact with the terrorists, and in the ensuing firefight rescued 10 victims unharmed,” Goni said, adding that seven motorcycles used by the attackers were recovered.

He, however, disclosed that one soldier of Operation Hadin Kai and a member of the Civilian Joint Task Force were killed during the operation.

“Regrettably, during the intense firefight, one gallant soldier of Operation Hadin Kai and a member of the Civilian Joint Task Force made the supreme sacrifice in the course of defending innocent civilians,” he stated.

The military said efforts were ongoing to rescue the remaining abductees and bring those responsible to justice, while security around vulnerable communities and schools has been strengthened.

The attack came barely a month after suspected Boko Haram insurgents abdu

cted 42 students from Mussa Primary and Junior Secondary School in the same local government area.