The Vice Principal of Government Day Secondary School, Lassa, in Askira/Uba Local Government Area of Borno State, Paul Namaske, has narrated how military air support and the swift intervention of ground troops led to the rescue of him and several students after they were abducted by terrorists during an attack on the school.
Speaking in a one-minute, 20-second video obtained on Monday, Namaske recounted that the attackers kidnapped two teachers and more than 20 students while candidates were sitting for the National Examinations Council (NECO) examinations.
According to him, the intervention of a Nigerian military aircraft disrupted the movement of the terrorists, creating an opportunity for the captives to escape as troops advanced toward the area.
Namaske said, “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.”
Giving an estimate of those taken by the insurgents, the vice principal explained that the abductees comprised two teachers and more than 20 students.
He stated, 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.”
Earlier on Monday, the Nigerian Army confirmed that its troops had rescued 10 of the abducted victims, including teachers and students, during a coordinated search-and-rescue mission.
The Acting Military Information Officer of the North-East Joint Task Force, Operation Hadin Kai, Capt. Muhammed Goni, disclosed in a statement that the operation, supported by air assets, successfully freed the victims but claimed the lives of a soldier and a member of the Civilian Joint Task Force during the exchange of fire with the terrorists.
According to Goni, “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.
“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 explained that ground troops, working in close coordination with air platforms providing real-time guidance, intercepted the abductors around the Daggu area, leading to a fierce gun battle.
Goni added, “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 further disclosed that the troops inflicted heavy losses on the fleeing terrorists during the encounter and recovered seven motorcycles believed to have been used by the insurgents.
The military spokesman, however, confirmed that the operation came at a cost.
He said, “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.”
Security forces have continued search operations in the area as efforts intensify to locate and rescue the remaining abducted students and teachers while tracking down those responsible for the attack.
(Ripples)