Troops of Operation HADIN KAI, supported by operatives of the Nigeria Police Mobile Force (MOPOL), have thwarted an attempted mass abduction by suspected Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) terrorists at the Federal Government Girls College (FGGC) in Monguno, Borno State.

The incident occurred around 1:30 a.m. on July 19 at the school, which is currently serving as temporary hostel accommodation for students of the Federal Polytechnic, Monguno, under an arrangement by the Borno State Government.

In a statement issued on Sunday, the Acting Military Information Officer of Operation HADIN KAI, Captain Mohammed Goni, said the attackers allegedly gained access to the premises with the help of suspected collaborators before attempting to abduct the students.

He explained that security personnel stationed at the school immediately confronted the terrorists, while the Sector 3 Quick Reaction Force was deployed to reinforce the facility.

“The terrorists were forced to abandon their criminal mission and flee in confusion without achieving their objective,” the statement said.

The military said although parts of the school’s infrastructure were damaged during the exchange of gunfire, security forces successfully repelled the attack.

It added that all 46 students in the hostel were rescued and safely evacuated to Kinnasara Barracks in Monguno, where they received medical examinations and necessary care.
Captain Goni stated that all the rescued students were medically stable and confirmed that none was abducted during the attack.

He, however, disclosed that some students were “fatally struck by the sporadic gunfire from the terrorists during the firefight.”

Operation HADIN KAI extended its condolences to the families of those who lost their lives and said efforts were ongoing to identify and apprehend suspected collaborators believed to have assisted the terrorists.

The military also revealed that troops, in collaboration with other security agencies, are pursuing the fleeing suspects while investigations into the incident continue.

Captain Goni reaffirmed the military’s commitment to sustaining operations against terrorist groups in the North-East and ensuring the protection of schools and other critical public facilities across the region.