The victims were kidnapped on Monday after the insurgents attacked Government Day Secondary School, Lassa, in Askira/Uba Local Government Area while students were writing their NECO examinations.
The Acting Military Information Officer of Joint Task Force North East, Operation Hadin Kai, Capt. Muhammad Goni, said troops swiftly responded to reports of the attack by launching a coordinated rescue mission supported by both air and ground forces.
According to him, the Theatre Command immediately deployed Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance aircraft alongside strike platforms to assist troops advancing towards the area.
“The troops, with support from air platforms providing guidance, made contact with the fleeing terrorists around Daggu, leading to a fierce exchange of fire,” Goni said.
He disclosed that the operation resulted in the successful rescue of 10 abducted victims, all of whom were unharmed and are currently receiving medical attention, while efforts continue to locate those still in captivity.
Goni added that the troops overpowered the fleeing terrorists during the operation, inflicting casualties and recovering seven motorcycles believed to have been used by the attackers.
“During the contact, troops outmanoeuvred the fleeing terrorists, inflicting casualties on them and capturing seven of their motorcycles, significantly disrupting their escape,” the statement said.
Despite the success of the operation, the military confirmed that one soldier and one CJTF operative were killed during the gun battle.
“Regrettably, during the intense firefight, one gallant soldier and a member of the Civilian Joint Task Force made the supreme sacrifice,” the statement added.
The military said additional security personnel had been deployed to the area, while clearance operations were ongoing to track down the fleeing insurgents and prevent further attacks. Residents were urged to remain vigilant, cooperate with security agencies by providing credible information and disregard unverified reports.
Meanwhile, the Vice Principal of the affected school, Paul Namaske, narrated how the attackers invaded the school and forced students and teachers into the forest before military intervention led to their rescue.
“When a military aircraft started hovering over us, the insurgents began to disperse. We then heard gunshots from soldiers, and the terrorists started running while we escaped. That was how we were rescued,” he said.
Namaske revealed that more than 20 students and two teachers were initially taken away by the terrorists, although the exact number of abductees has yet to be confirmed.
“Two teachers and about twenty-something students were taken. I cannot confirm the exact number,” he said.
Earlier, the Borno State Commissioner for Information and Internal Security, Usman Tar, said government officials were assessing the situation to establish the actual number of abducted persons.
“For now, seven of them have been rescued. We cannot confirm their gender yet. Assessment is still ongoing,” he said.
He added that a state government delegation had visited the community to evaluate the situation and reassure residents.
The Borno State Police Command also confirmed the attack, saying security operatives responded promptly and prevented the terrorists from carrying out a larger-scale abduction.
The command’s spokesperson, ASP Nahum Daso, said, “Around 9 a.m. in the morning, ISWAP attacked Lassa Day Secondary School. They shot sporadically. Suspected numbers of students have been abducted.