Military Aircraft Scattered Terrorists, Allowing Escape

– Rescued Borno Vice Principal Recounts Ordeal

Paul Namaske, the Vice Principal of Government Day Secondary School, Lassa, in Borno State’s Askira/Uba Local Government Area, has recounted the harrowing Monday attack by terrorists and the subsequent rescue of over 20 victims by the Nigerian Army.

In a video obtained by our correspondent, Namaske stated that two teachers and over 20 students, who were sitting for the National Examinations Council examinations, were abducted during the assault.

“Today, June 29, the terrorists took us into the bush,” Namaske explained. “When a military aircraft began hovering above us, the insurgents started to scatter. As this happened, we heard gunshots from the soldiers, causing the terrorists to flee and allowing us to escape. In the process, the soldiers rescued us.”

He provided an estimate of the victims: “We are two teachers and about 20-something students. I can’t give an exact number, but at one point when they gathered us, I made a rough estimate. There were about 20 students and two teachers.”

Capt. Muhammed Goni, Acting Military Information Officer for the North-East Joint Task Force, Operation Hadin Kai, issued a statement on Monday confirming the rescue operation. He stated that two security operatives, a soldier and a member of the Civilian Joint Task Force, were killed during the rescue.

Goni reported that ten victims were rescued unharmed by ground troops, supported by air platforms providing guidance, after troops engaged the abductors near the Daggu area.

The statement read: “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 receiving the report, the Theatre Command dispatched 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.”

“With support from the overhead air platforms providing guidance, the troops made contact around Daggu. Following the firefight, the operation has so far resulted in the successful rescue of 10 unhurt victims, who are currently receiving necessary care and support. Efforts remain ongoing to rescue the remaining victims and bring the perpetrators to justice,” he added.

Goni noted that during the encounter, troops outmaneuvered the fleeing terrorists, inflicted casualties, and recovered seven motorcycles.

“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,” he concluded.

Military Aircraft Scattered Terrorists, Allowing Escape – Rescued Borno Vice Principal Recounts Ordeal

Paul Namaske, the Vice Principal of Government Day Secondary School, Lassa, in Borno State’s Askira/Uba Local Government Area, has recounted the harrowing Monday attack by terrorists and the subsequent rescue of over 20 victims by the Nigerian Army.

In a video obtained by our correspondent, Namaske stated that two teachers and over 20 students, who were sitting for the National Examinations Council examinations, were abducted during the assault.

“Today, June 29, the terrorists took us into the bush,” Namaske explained. “When a military aircraft began hovering above us, the insurgents started to scatter. As this happened, we heard gunshots from the soldiers, causing the terrorists to flee and allowing us to escape. In the process, the soldiers rescued us.”

He provided an estimate of the victims: “We are two teachers and about 20-something students. I can’t give an exact number, but at one point when they gathered us, I made a rough estimate. There were about 20 students and two teachers.”

Capt. Muhammed Goni, Acting Military Information Officer for the North-East Joint Task Force, Operation Hadin Kai, issued a statement on Monday confirming the rescue operation. He stated that two security operatives, a soldier and a member of the Civilian Joint Task Force, were killed during the rescue.

Goni reported that ten victims were rescued unharmed by ground troops, supported by air platforms providing guidance, after troops engaged the abductors near the Daggu area.

The statement read: “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 receiving the report, the Theatre Command dispatched 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.”

“With support from the overhead air platforms providing guidance, the troops made contact around Daggu. Following the firefight, the operation has so far resulted in the successful rescue of 10 unhurt victims, who are currently receiving necessary care and support. Efforts remain ongoing to rescue the remaining victims and bring the perpetrators to justice,” he added.

Goni noted that during the encounter, troops outmaneuvered the fleeing terrorists, inflicted casualties, and recovered seven motorcycles.

“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,” he concluded.