The Vice Principal of Government Day Secondary School, Lassa, Paul Namaske, has recounted how military air support and ground troops forced suspected ISWAP terrorists to abandon their captives, paving the way for the rescue of teachers and students abducted during an attack on their school in Askira/Uba Local Government Area of Borno State.
Namaske, who was among those kidnapped, said the terrorists abducted two teachers and more than 20 students who were sitting for the National Examinations Council (NECO) examination when gunmen stormed the community on Monday.
Speaking in a video released after his rescue, the vice principal described how the swift intervention of military aircraft and advancing ground troops disrupted the terrorists’ escape plan.
“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.
He disclosed that although he could not ascertain the exact number of abductees, his estimate showed that more than 20 students and two teachers were taken into the forest.
“We are two teachers and about 20-something students. I cannot give the precise number, but at one point during the movement, when they (the insurgents) gathered us in one place, I was able to make a rough estimate. They were about 20 students and two teachers,” he added.
Meanwhile, the Nigerian Army confirmed that troops of Operation HADIN KAI successfully rescued 10 abducted victims, including students and teachers, during a coordinated search-and-rescue mission supported by air assets.
In a statement issued on Monday, the Acting Military Information Officer of the North-East Joint Task Force, Captain Muhammed Goni, said the Theatre Command immediately deployed both strike aircraft and Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (ISR) platforms after receiving reports of the attack.
According to him, the aircraft provided aerial surveillance and operational guidance as troops tracked the terrorists to the Daggu area of Askira/Uba Local Government Area.
“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,” Goni said.
“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 added that the joint air and ground operation resulted in a fierce gun battle with the fleeing terrorists.
“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,” he stated.
Goni further disclosed that the troops inflicted heavy casualties on the terrorists and recovered seven motorcycles used during the attack.
However, he said the operation came at a heavy cost.
“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.
The military said operations remain ongoing to rescue the remaining abductees and apprehend those responsible for the attack, reaffirming its commitment to protecting schools, vulnerable communities and restoring lasting peace across the North-East.
