Troops of Operation HADIN KAI (OPHK), working in collaboration with personnel of the Nigeria Police Mobile Force (MOPOL), have foiled an attempted mass abduction by suspected ISWAP terrorists at the Federal Government Girls College (FGGC), Monguno, in the early hours of Saturday.
The Acting Military Information Officer, Headquarters Joint Task Force (North East) Operation HADIN KAI, Captain Mohammed Goni, disclosed this in a statement, saying the terrorists attacked the school at about 1:30 a.m. on 19 July 2026.
According to him, the FGGC facility is currently being used by the Borno State Government as temporary hostel accommodation for students of the Federal Polytechnic, Monguno.
He explained that the terrorists allegedly gained access to the facility with the assistance of suspected collaborators in an attempt to abduct the students. However, vigilant security personnel immediately engaged the attackers with coordinated firepower, while the Sector 3 Quick Reaction Force swiftly reinforced the location.
Faced with overwhelming resistance from the combined security forces, the terrorists abandoned their mission and fled without abducting any student.
Although parts of the school’s infrastructure were damaged during the exchange of gunfire, security forces successfully contained the attack.
Captain Goni said troops rescued and evacuated all 46 students to Kinnasara Barracks in Monguno, where they received medical assessment and appropriate care.
He confirmed that all the rescued students were medically stable and that no student was abducted during the attack.
However, he disclosed that some students were tragically killed after being struck by sporadic gunfire fired by the terrorists during the firefight.
Operation HADIN KAI expressed its condolences to the families of the deceased and assured residents that troops, in collaboration with other security agencies and the Borno State Government, are taking all necessary measures to protect lives and critical public institutions across the North-East.
The military also revealed that efforts are ongoing to identify and apprehend suspected collaborators who allegedly aided the attackers, while troops are actively pursuing the fleeing terrorists.
Operation HADIN KAI reiterated its commitment to maintaining sustained pressure on terrorist groups, dismantling their operational capabilities, and ensuring that schools and other critical infrastructure across the North-East remain safe and secure.
