A teacher rescued after a terrorist attack on Government Day Secondary School in Lassa, Askira/Uba LGA of Borno, has narrated how the swift response of Nigerian troops and their superior firepower forced suspected ISWAP terrorists to abandon their captives and flee.
According to Zagazola Makama, a counter-insurgency publication focused on the Lake Chad region, the teacher was among 10 people rescued after suspected terrorists abducted them on Monday while students were writing the National Examinations Council (NECO) senior school certificate examination (SSCE).
“There were many soldiers, and they really helped us to escape because they came with gun trucks,” the teacher was quoted as saying.
“Their firepower was what made us escape. They came with heavy firepower, and the terrorists began to run away. They could not even return the fire because the firepower from the soldiers and the team was very, very strong.”
Citing security sources, the publication said troops launched a coordinated search-and-rescue mission immediately after reports of the attack were received.
Ground forces, backed by strike aircraft as well as intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance platforms from the air component of Operation Hadin Kai, were deployed to track the fleeing terrorists.
Makama reported that acting on real-time aerial intelligence, troops intercepted the insurgents around the Daggu axis, leading to a fierce exchange of gunfire.
The publication said the overwhelming firepower of the troops forced the terrorists to abandon some of the abducted victims while fleeing, resulting in the rescue of 10 kidnapped students and teachers, all recovered unharmed.
Troops also recovered seven motorcycles belonging to the terrorists, significantly limiting the insurgents’ mobility during the operation.
Makama further reported that one soldier and a member of the civilian joint task force (CJTF) lost their lives during the gun battle.
Military authorities said troops have continued to dominate the area and monitor possible escape routes, while sustaining pressure on the fleeing terrorists to rescue the remaining abductees and ensure those responsible are brought to justice.
The publication added that security has since been strengthened across Lassa and neighbouring communities, with troops maintaining heightened vigilance to protect schools and other vulnerable locations from further attacks.