Borno School Abduction: ‘One Vigilante Member, Soldier Killed During Rescue Mission’

Local hunters and troops of Operation Hadin Kai have rescued some students and teachers abducted by terrorists during an attack on Government Day Secondary School, Lassa, in Askira/Uba Local Government Area of Borno State.

Vigilante sources who spoke with Daily Trust said hunters responded to a distress call from the community and trailed the terrorists into nearby forests.

A source said the hunters engaged the attackers in a gun battle and rescued eight students and two teachers before handing them over to the military.

However, troops of Operation Hadin Kai said they rescued nine students and one teacher with support from the hunters.

Some motorcycles belonging to the insurgents were also reportedly recovered during the operation.

Sources said one soldier and one vigilante member were killed during the encounter, while efforts were ongoing to rescue the remaining abducted students.

Military sources added that troops had mounted guard on possible escape routes, with reinforcements deployed to block crossing points used by the terrorists.

Residents Fault Military Response

Meanwhile, residents of Lassa accused the military of failing to respond promptly, claiming the attack occurred close to a military post.

A resident, who spoke on condition of anonymity, likened the incident to the recent abduction in Mussa, where 42 pupils were taken away.

“It’s just like the incident in Mussa village where the insurgents struck a few minutes after the troops left their duty post. The troops here in Lassa camp had also left their post, which is a short distance from the school, for a patrol at a neighbouring village when the attackers struck,” the resident said.

“It was our hunters who summoned courage and went after the terrorists and their effort yielded results. They rescued some of the students and a male teacher, but the female teacher was not so lucky; they disappeared with her,” he added.

The attack came amid sustained military operations against Boko Haram and ISWAP enclaves across the North-East.