Troops of the joint military task force, Operation HADIN KAI (OPHK), have successfully rescued ten National Examinations Council (NECO) candidates and teachers who were abducted by ISWAP terrorists in Lassa, Askira Uba Local Government Area of Borno State.
The victims were abducted on Monday morning, June 29, 2026, when terrorists attacked a Technical Secondary School while students were writing their examinations.
Confirming the incident, the Acting Military Information Officer for OPHK, Captain Mohammed Goni, stated that the Theatre Command immediately scrambled strike and Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance (ISR) aircraft to support ground troops in a coordinated search-and-rescue operation.
According to Capt. Goni, troops intercepted the fleeing terrorists near Daggu village. Following a fierce gun battle, ten of the victims were rescued unharmed and are currently receiving medical attention and psychosocial support. One victim remains missing, and search operations are ongoing.
During the encounter, troops inflicted casualties on the terrorists and recovered seven motorcycles. However, the military suffered casualties.
“Regrettably, during the intense firefight, one gallant soldier of OPHK and a member of the Civilian Joint Task Force (CJTF) made the supreme sacrifice,” Goni said, praising their selflessness and bravery.
The military command condemned the attack, describing it as a desperate act by weakened terrorists targeting vulnerable citizens. Security has since been beefed up in the area to safeguard schools and prevent future occurrences.
