An attempted attack by Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) terrorists on the Federal Polytechnic, Monguno, Borno State, has been foiled by troops of Operation HADIN KAI (OPHK) stopping what could have been a mass abduction of 46 students.
The attempted attack occurred at about 1:30 a.m. on Sunday, according to the Acting Media Information Officer of OPHK, Capt. Mohammed Goni.
He disclosed that some students were however killed after being struck by sporadic gunfire from the terrorists during the firefight.
Goni expressed the Theatre Command’s condolences to the families of the deceased and assured residents that troops, in collaboration with the Borno State Government and other security agencies, were taking all necessary measures to protect lives and secure critical public institutions across the North East.
He said the students were in their temporary hostel at the Federal Government Girls College (FGGC), which is currently used by the Borno State Government to accommodate students of Borno State Polytechnic, Monguno, when the terrorists attacked.
Goni said the terrorists reportedly gained access to the institution with the assistance of suspected collaborators and attempted to abduct students.
He said alert security personnel engaged the attackers with coordinated, overwhelming firepower, while the Sector 3 Quick Reaction Force (QRF) swiftly reinforced the institution, forcing the terrorists to retreat.
“Confronted by the superior combat capability and determined resistance of the security forces, the terrorists were forced to abandon their criminal mission and flee in confusion without achieving their objective,” Goni said.
He added that although parts of the school’s infrastructure were damaged during the exchange of fire, the situation was quickly brought under control through the joint efforts of troops and personnel of the Nigeria Police Force.
Following the operation, Goni said troops successfully rescued and evacuated all 46 students to Kinnasara Barracks in Monguno, where they received immediate medical attention.
“All rescued students have been confirmed medically stable, and no student was abducted,” he said.
He said efforts were ongoing to identify and apprehend the suspected collaborators who allegedly aided the attackers, while troops continued to pursue the fleeing terrorists.
“Operation HADIN KAI remains steadfast in its commitment to sustaining relentless pressure on terrorist elements, denying them freedom of action, dismantling their operational capability, and ensuring that educational institutions and other critical infrastructure across the North-East remain safe and secure,” he added.
(Ripples)