JamzNG Latest News, Gist, Entertainment in Nigeria
The Deputy Principal of Government Day Secondary School, Lassa, in Askira/Uba Local Government Area of Borno State, Paul Namaske, has narrated how military air support and quick intervention of ground troops managed to rescue him and some students after they were abducted by terrorists during an attack on the school.
Speaking in a one minute 20 second video obtained on Monday, Namaske said that the attackers kidnapped two teachers and more than 20 students while the candidates were taking the National Examinations Council (NECO) exams.
According to him, the intervention of Nigerian military aircraft disrupted the movement of terrorists, thereby providing an opportunity for the captives to escape as troops moved towards the area.
Namaske said, “Today, June 29, the terrorists took us into the bush. When a military plane started hovering over us, the rebels started to disperse. When this happened, we heard gunshots from the army, so they (the terrorists) started running while we started running away. In the process, the army saved us.”
Giving an estimate of the number of victims abducted by the rebels, the deputy principal explained that the abductees consisted of two teachers and more than 20 students.
He stated, We are two teachers and about 20 students. I can’t give exact numbers, but at some point during the movement, when they (the rebels) gathered us in one place, I can make a rough estimate. They number around 20 students and two teachers.”
Earlier on Monday, the Nigerian Army confirmed that its troops had rescued 10 kidnapping victims, including teachers and students, in a coordinated search and rescue mission.
Also read:ECOWAS Court goes digital, introduces electronic platform to improve access to justice
Acting Military Information Officer for the North East Joint Task Force, Operation Hadin Kai, Captain Muhammed Goni, revealed in his statement that the operation supported by air assets succeeded in freeing the victims but claimed the lives of a soldier and a member of the Civilian Joint Task Force during a firefight with terrorists.
According to Goni, “Operation HADIN KAI (OPHK) troops have succeeded in rescuing 10 National Examinations Council (NECO) candidates and teachers who were kidnapped during the ISWAP attack on Lassa Community in Askira/Uba Local Government Area of Borno State.
“Immediately upon receiving reports of the incident, Theater Command deployed attack and Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (ISR) aircraft from the OPHK Air Component to support forces mobilized to the area for coordinated search and rescue operations.”
He explained that ground troops, working in close coordination with air platforms providing real-time guidance, intercepted the kidnappers around the Daggu area, leading to a heavy firefight.
Goni added, “Troops, with support from overhead platforms providing guidance, made contact in the vicinity of Daggu and, following a firefight, the operation has so far succeeded in rescuing 10 victims, who were uninjured and are currently receiving the necessary treatment and support, while efforts continue to be made to rescue the remaining victims and bring the perpetrators to justice.”
He further revealed that the army inflicted heavy losses on the fleeing terrorists during the clash and recovered seven motorbikes believed to have been used by the insurgents.
However, a military spokesman confirmed that the operation would require costs.
He said, “It is unfortunate that, during the intense firefight, a brave OPHK soldier and a member of the Civilian Joint Task Force made the ultimate sacrifice in the crossfire with the terrorists.”
Security forces continue to carry out search operations in the area in intensive efforts to find and rescue the remaining kidnapped students and teachers while tracking down those responsible for the attack.
