Some students have been reportedly killed after suspected ISWAP terrorists attacked the Federal Government Girls College (FGGC), Monguno, Borno State, in the wee hours of Saturday, despite security forces successfully foiling what was believed to be a planned mass abduction.
The students were reportedly struck by stray bullets fired by the fleeing insurgents during an exchange of gunfire with security personnel.
A security report by counter-insurgency expert Zagazola Makama said troops of Operation HADIN KAI, backed by operatives of the Nigeria Police Mobile Force (MOPOL), repelled the attack and rescued 46 students from the school.
According to intelligence sources cited in the report, the terrorists invaded the school at about 1:30 a.m. on July 19 after allegedly gaining access with the help of suspected collaborators.
The facility, currently being used by the Borno State Government as temporary hostel accommodation for students of the Federal Polytechnic, Monguno, was reportedly targeted as the insurgents attempted to abduct the occupants.
Security personnel on duty immediately confronted the attackers, while troops from the Sector 3 Quick Reaction Force (QRF) moved in to reinforce the position.
The swift response forced the terrorists to abandon the operation and flee without taking any student captive.
Although the gun battle damaged parts of the school infrastructure, security operatives prevented what could have turned into another large-scale school abduction.
Following the operation, the 46 rescued students were evacuated to Kinnasara Barracks in Monguno, where they received medical attention and were confirmed to be in stable condition.
However, the report said some students lost their lives after they were hit by stray rounds fired by the fleeing terrorists during the exchange of gunfire.
Military authorities expressed sympathy to the bereaved families and assured residents that security had been strengthened around schools and other critical facilities across the North-East.
The military also disclosed that efforts were ongoing to identify and arrest suspected collaborators believed to have aided the attackers’ entry into the school, while troops and other security agencies had launched pursuit operations to track down the fleeing terrorists.
