Nigerian troops, supported by police personnel, foiled an attempted mass abduction by suspected Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) militants at a school being used as a temporary student hostel in Borno State early on Sunday, although some students were killed during the attack, the military said.

The attempted raid occurred at about 1:30 a.m. at the Federal Government Girls College (FGGC) in Monguno, which the Borno State Government is currently using as temporary accommodation for students of the Federal Polytechnic, Monguno.

In a statement, Captain Mohammed Goni, acting media information officer for the Joint Task Force North East, Operation HADIN KAI, said the attackers allegedly gained access to the premises with the assistance of suspected collaborators.

“The terrorists reportedly gained access to the facility with the assistance of suspected collaborators in an attempt to abduct students,” Goni said.

According to him, troops of Operation HADIN KAI, working alongside personnel of the Nigeria Police Mobile Force (MOPOL), immediately engaged the militants after they were detected.

He said alert security personnel confronted the attackers with coordinated firepower, while a Sector 3 Quick Reaction Force was deployed to reinforce the troops already at the scene.

“Confronted by the superior combat capability and determined resistance of the security forces, the terrorists were forced to abandon their criminal mission and flee in confusion without achieving their objective,” Goni said.

He added that although parts of the school infrastructure were damaged during the exchange of gunfire, security forces succeeded in preventing the abduction.

Following the operation, all 46 students at the facility were evacuated to Kinnasara Barracks in Monguno, where they received immediate medical attention.

“All rescued students have been confirmed medically stable and no student was abducted,” Goni said.

He said, however, that some students were fatally struck by gunfire during the firefight.

The military did not immediately disclose the number of students killed or provide further details on the circumstances surrounding the fatalities.

Operation HADIN KAI expressed condolences to the families of the victims.

“Operation HADIN KAI extends its deepest condolences to the families of the deceased and reassures the public that all necessary measures are being taken to safeguard the lives of residents and protect critical public institutions across the North East,” Goni said.

He added that investigations had begun to identify and apprehend those suspected of assisting the attackers.

“Exploitation of the incident is ongoing to identify and apprehend the suspected collaborators, while troops and other security agencies are actively tracking the fleeing terrorists,” he said.

The military also pledged to sustain pressure on armed groups operating in the region.

“Operation HADIN KAI remains steadfast in its commitment to sustaining relentless pressure on terrorist elements, denying them freedom of action, dismantling their operational capability, and ensuring that educational institutions and other critical infrastructure across the North East remain safe and secure,” Goni said.