A vice principal rescued after a terrorist attack on a secondary school in Borno State has described how Nigerian military aircraft and ground troops forced insurgents to abandon their captives, allowing dozens of abducted students and teachers to escape.
Paul Namaske, Vice Principal of Government Day Secondary School, Lassa, in Askira/Uba Local Government Area, recounted the ordeal in a video released after his rescue from Monday’s attack on candidates writing the National Examinations Council (NECO) examinations.
According to Namaske, the terrorists had taken him, another teacher and more than 20 students into the bush when military aircraft arrived over the area, disrupting the abductors’ movements.
“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 began to run while we started escaping. In the process, the soldiers rescued us,” he said.
The vice principal estimated that about two teachers and over 20 students were among those abducted, although he said he could not immediately confirm the exact number.
The Nigerian Army, however, said troops of Operation Hadin Kai have so far rescued 10 victims, including NECO candidates and teachers, following a coordinated search-and-rescue operation supported by air strikes and Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (ISR) aircraft.
Acting Military Information Officer of Operation Hadin Kai, Capt. Muhammed Goni, said troops engaged the terrorists around the Daggu area of Askira/Uba Local Government Area, successfully rescuing the victims without injuries. He added that efforts were continuing to locate and free the remaining abductees.
The military also disclosed that troops overpowered the fleeing insurgents during the operation, recovering seven motorcycles believed to have been used by the attackers.
However, the rescue mission came at a heavy cost. One soldier and a member of the Civilian Joint Task Force (CJTF) were killed during the fierce exchange of gunfire with the terrorists.
Security forces have pledged to continue operations in the area until all remaining victims are rescued and those responsible for the attack are brought to justice.
