The Nigerian military has confirmed that several students were killed during a fierce gun battle with terrorists who attempted to invade a school in Borno State, even as troops successfully foiled what could have become another mass abduction.
In a statement issued by Operation HADIN KAI, the military said all 46 students caught in the attack were rescued and evacuated to Kinnasara Barracks in Monguno, where they received immediate medical attention.
According to the military, medical assessments confirmed that all rescued students were in stable condition and that no student was abducted during the attack.
However, the military disclosed that some students lost their lives after being struck by sporadic gunfire fired by the fleeing terrorists during the exchange with troops. It did not state the exact number of casualties.
The statement described the incident as a tragic reminder of the brutality of terrorist groups operating in the North-East, noting that parts of the school’s infrastructure were also damaged during the assault.
Operation HADIN KAI expressed sympathy to the bereaved families and pledged that those responsible for the attack would be brought to justice.
The military also revealed that investigations were underway to identify and arrest suspected collaborators believed to have assisted the terrorists in gaining access to the school. It added that troops had launched an intensive manhunt for the fleeing attackers.
The attack has renewed concerns over the safety of schools across Nigeria’s North-East, where Boko Haram and ISWAP have repeatedly targeted educational institutions with deadly attacks and mass kidnappings despite repeated assurances by the government that security has improved.
Operation HADIN KAI reaffirmed its commitment to sustaining offensive operations against terrorist groups and strengthening the protection of schools and other critical public infrastructure across the region, insisting that troops would continue to deny insurgents the freedom to terrorise communities.