A soldier and a member of the Civilian Joint Task Force (CJTF) lost their lives as security operatives were rescuing 10 of the students sitting for the National Examinations Council (NECO) examinations at Lassa Day Secondary School, who were abducted in Askira/Uba Local Council of Borno State, yesterday.

Meanwhile, the Vice Principal, Paul Namaske, narrated how military aircraft scattered the terrorists and gave them the opportunity to escape.

Condemning yesterday’s attack, Human Rights Writers Association of Nigeria (HURIWA) described it as a damning indictment of Nigeria’s failing security architecture.

Similarly, former Senate Leader, Ali Ndume, again called on the Federal Government to be proactive in its crusade against insurgency and banditry.

Terrorists on motorcycles attacked the school yesterday, shooting sporadically before abducting students and women selling within the school premises.

Confirming the rescue operation in Maiduguri, Borno State Commissioner for Information and Internal Security, Usman Tar, said efforts were ongoing to rescue the remaining abductees.

“For now, seven of them have been rescued. We cannot confirm their gender yet. Assessment is still ongoing,” he said.

On the total number of missing students, the commissioner said it was yet to be ascertained.
IN a one-minute, 20-second video, the vice principal said two teachers and over 20 students were abducted during the attack.

Namaske said, “Today, being June 29, the terrorists took us into the bush. When a military aircraft started hovering over us, the insurgents started dispersing. While this was happening, we heard gunshots from the soldiers, so they (the terrorists) began to run while we started escaping. In the process, the soldiers rescued us.”

Providing a breakdown of the victims, he said, “We are two teachers and over 20 students. I cannot give the precise number, but at one point during the movement, when they (the insurgents) gathered us in one place, I was able to make a rough estimate. They were about 20 students and two teachers.”

The Acting Military Information Officer, North-East Joint Task Force, Operation Hadin Kai (OPHK), Capt. Muhammed Goni, stated yesterday that two security operatives, including a soldier and a member of the Civilian Joint Task Force, were killed during the rescue operation.

Goni said the 10 victims were rescued unhurt by ground troops with support from air platforms providing guidance after troops made contact with the abductors around the Daggu area of the local government.

The statement reads: “Troops of OPHK have successfully rescued 10 NECO candidates and teachers abducted during an ISWAP attack on Lassa Community. Upon receipt of the report of the incident, the Theatre Command scrambled strike and Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (ISR) aircraft from the Air Component of OPHK to support troops mobilised to the area for a coordinated search-and-rescue operation.

“The troops, with support from the air platforms overhead providing guidance, made contact around Daggu and, after the firefight, the operation resulted in the successful rescue of 10 victims, who were unhurt and are receiving the necessary care and support, while efforts remain ongoing to rescue the remaining victims and bring the perpetrators to justice.”

He noted that during the encounter, troops outmaneuvered the fleeing terrorists and recovered seven motorcycles.

“Regrettably, during the intense firefight, one gallant soldier of OPHK and a member of the CJTF paid the supreme sacrifice in the exchange of fire with the terrorists,” he said.

HURIWA, through its National Coordinator, Emmanuel Onwubiko, said the latest assault was not merely another security breach but a tragic reminder that terrorists, insurgents, bandits and other non-state actors continue to operate with alarming audacity despite repeated assurances by government officials that insecurity was being brought under control.

The group questioned the effectiveness of the Federal Government’s security strategy, asking President Bola Tinubu to urgently overhaul the nation’s security architecture.

“HURIWA is compelled to ask the question that millions of Nigerians are asking today: How many more schoolchildren must be kidnapped, killed, traumatised or forced out of classrooms before the Federal Government admits that its present security strategy has failed and requires urgent restructuring? How many more soldiers must lose their lives battling terrorists who appear increasingly emboldened?” the group asked.

According to HURIWA, the attack on students writing public examinations represents a direct assault on Nigeria’s future, education system and national development, warning that repeated attacks on schools threaten to reverse decades of progress in educational advancement.

It called on Tinubu to immediately review the performance of the senior security officials, insisting that those found incapable of effectively discharging their responsibilities should be relieved of their appointments.
NDUME, in a statement yesterday, maintained that the Federal Government, in collaboration with the state government, must do more to convince Nigerians that it is walking the talk on emergency on security.

Checks revealed that 42 students and pupils were abducted last month in the same Askira/Uba Local Council.

The Borno South senator said: “This fresh abduction is disconcerting, coming at a time we don’t know the fate of children of Mussa who were kidnapped last month.

“I appeal to security forces to redouble their efforts and ensure the safe return of the 42 students of Mussa Primary and Junior Secondary School, those kidnapped in Ngoshe; those abducted along Buratai-Biu Road and those abducted today.”

The former Senate Leader, who applauded the efforts of the security agencies that pursued and secured the release of some of the victims, called for more synergy among all security agencies to stop further attacks.