Troops of Operation HADIN KAI have rescued 10 National Examinations Council (NECO) candidates and teachers abducted by suspected ISWAP terrorists during an attack on a secondary school in Lassa, Askira/Uba Local Government Area of Borno State.
The victims were abducted on Monday morning after the terrorists stormed the Technical Secondary School in Lassa while students were sitting for the ongoing Senior School Certificate Examination (SSCE).
Earlier reports indicated that panic broke out in the community when heavily armed attackers invaded the school, disrupted the examination and whisked away an unspecified number of candidates. A teacher was reportedly killed during the attack, while another sustained injuries.
The Borno State Police Command had confirmed the incident, stating that efforts were ongoing to ascertain the exact number of students taken, as some candidates remained unaccounted for.
However, in a statement issued on Monday, the Headquarters Joint Task Force North East, Operation HADIN KAI, announced that troops had successfully rescued 10 of the abducted victims following a coordinated search-and-rescue operation.
According to the military, the attack occurred at about 9:00 a.m., prompting the immediate deployment of both strike aircraft and Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (ISR) platforms from the Air Component of Operation HADIN KAI to support troops mobilised to the area.
The statement said: “Troops of Operation HADIN KAI (OPHK) have successfully rescued ten National Examinations Council (NECO) candidates and teachers abducted during an ISWAP attack on Lassa Community in Askira Uba Local Government Area of Borno State. The attack, which occurred at about 0900 hours (9:00 a.m.) on Monday, 29 June 2026, targeted the Technical Secondary School while the students were writing exams. Immediately upon receipt of the incident, Theatre Command scrambled both strike and Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (ISR) aircraft from the Air Component of OPHK to support troops mobilized to the area for a coordinated search and rescue operation.”
The military disclosed that troops, aided by aerial surveillance, engaged the fleeing terrorists around Daggu, leading to the rescue of the victims.
“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 ten victims, who were unhurt and are currently receiving the necessary care and support, while efforts remain ongoing to rescue the remaining victim and bring the perpetrators to justice,” Capt. Mohammed Goni, acting military information officer of the Northeast Joint Task Force stated.
The statement further noted that troops inflicted casualties on the terrorists and recovered seven motorcycles used by the fleeing insurgents.
“During the contact, troops outmaneuvered the fleeing terrorists, inflicting casualties on them and capturing seven of their motorcycles, significantly disrupting their escape,” it said.
Operation HADIN KAI, however, disclosed that one soldier and a member of the Civilian Joint Task Force (CJTF) lost their lives during the exchange of gunfire.
It stated: “Regrettably, during the intense firefight, one gallant soldier of OPHK and a member of the Civilian Joint Task Force made the supreme sacrifice during the intense exchange of fire with the terrorists. Their courage, selflessness and unwavering commitment exemplify the collective resolve of security forces and local volunteers who continue to risk their lives daily to protect innocent citizens and restore peace across the North East.”
The military said troops had intensified operations in collaboration with other security agencies to rescue the remaining victims and prevent similar attacks on schools and communities.
The military reaffirmed its commitment to protecting civilians and educational institutions, while urging the public to remain vigilant and to provide credible intelligence to security agencies.
“Operation HADIN KAI remains steadfast in its mandate to protect civilians, safeguard critical national infrastructure, and create a secure environment for educational activities and other essential services to thrive. Members of the public are encouraged to remain vigilant and continue to provide timely and credible information to security agencies to facilitate prompt operational response. The public is also urged to disregard unverified reports and misinformation relating to this incident and rely only on updates issued through official channels, as ongoing operations may necessitate further verified updates,” the statement added.
