Troops foil ISWAP attempt to abduct students in Monguno, rescue 46 as terrorists flee

By: Zagazola Makama 

Troops of Operation HADIN KAI (OPHK), supported by personnel of the Nigeria Police Mobile Force (MOPOL), have foiled an attempted mass abduction by suspected ISWAP terrorists at the Federal Government Girls College (FGGC), Monguno, in the early hours of Saturday, rescuing 46 students.

Intelligence sources told Zagazola Makama that the terrorists stormed the school at about 1:30 a.m. on July 19 after allegedly gaining access with the assistance of suspected collaborators.

The school, which is currently being used by the Borno State Government as temporary hostel accommodation for students of the Federal Polytechnic, Monguno, came under attack as the terrorists attempted to abduct the students.

Security personnel on guard immediately engaged the attackers with heavy fire, while the Sector 3 Quick Reaction Force (QRF) rapidly reinforced the location. The coordinated response forced the terrorists to abandon the operation and flee without taking any of the students.

Sources said parts of the school infrastructure were damaged during the exchange of gunfire, but the security forces successfully contained the attack and prevented what could have been a major abduction.

Following the operation, all 46 students were rescued and evacuated to Kinnasara Barracks in Monguno, where they underwent medical assessment and received necessary care. The students have all been confirmed medically stable.

However, Zagazola Makama gathered that some students were tragically killed after being struck by stray rounds fired by the fleeing terrorists during the firefight.

Military authorities expressed condolences to the families of the victims and assured residents that security had been reinforced around educational institutions and other critical infrastructure across the North-East.

The military said exploitation of the incident was ongoing to identify and apprehend suspected collaborators who facilitated the attack, while troops and other security agencies had launched pursuit operations to track down the fleeing terrorists.

Operation HADIN KAI reaffirmed its commitment to sustaining offensive operations against terrorist groups and ensuring schools and communities across the North-East remain protected from further attacks.