Troops of Operation HADIN KAI (OPHK), working alongside personnel of the Nigeria Police Mobile Force (MOPOL), have foiled an attempted mass abduction by suspected Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) terrorists at the Federal Government Girls College (FGGC), Monguno, Borno State.
The attempted attack occurred at about 1:30 a.m. on Saturday, July 19, 2026, according to military authorities.
The school is currently being used by the Borno State Government as temporary hostel accommodation for students of the Federal Polytechnic, Monguno.
The Acting Media Information Officer of Headquarters Joint Task Force North East Operation HADIN KAI, Captain Mohammed Goni, disclosed the development in a statement issued on Sunday.
According to Goni, the terrorists allegedly gained access to the facility with the assistance of suspected collaborators in a bid to abduct students staying in the hostel.
He explained that security personnel stationed at the school immediately engaged the attackers with coordinated firepower while troops from Sector 3 Quick Reaction Force (QRF) were swiftly deployed to reinforce the location.
“The terrorists reportedly gained access to the facility with the assistance of suspected collaborators in an attempt to abduct students.
“Alert security personnel immediately engaged the terrorists with coordinated and overwhelming firepower, effectively stalling their advance, with Sector 3 Quick Reaction Force (QRF) immediately reinforcing the school.
“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.
“During the encounter, parts of the school infrastructure sustained damage, but the attempt was well contained by troops in conjunction with the Nigeria Police Force personnel,” Goni said.
Following the operation, security forces successfully evacuated all 46 students from the facility to Kinnasara Barracks in Monguno, where they received medical examinations and necessary care.
Military authorities confirmed that all the rescued students were medically stable and that none was abducted during the attack.
However, the military disclosed that some students lost their lives after being struck by bullets fired indiscriminately by the fleeing terrorists during the exchange of gunfire.
“Following the operation, troops successfully rescued and evacuated all 46 students to Kinnasara Barracks, Monguno, where they received immediate medical assessment and appropriate care.
“All rescued students have been confirmed medically stable and no student was abducted.
“Regrettably, some students were fatally struck by the sporadic gunfire from the terrorists during the firefight,” the statement added.
Operation HADIN KAI expressed condolences to the families of the deceased students while assuring residents that security agencies remain committed to protecting lives, educational institutions and other critical infrastructure across the North-East.
The military also disclosed that exploitation operations were ongoing to identify and arrest individuals suspected of assisting the terrorists in gaining access to the school.
According to the statement, troops and other security agencies have commenced efforts to track down the fleeing terrorists.
“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 in liaison with the Borno State Government.
“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.
“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 stated.
