By Samuel Akpan
A fierce gun battle in Borno State on Monday ended with the rescue of 10 students, though it tragically claimed the lives of a soldier and a local vigilante.
Gunmen had stormed Government Day Secondary School in Lassa on Monday, abducting the students as they sat for their NECO-organized SSCE.
While troops successfully freed all 10 victims, one soldier and a Civilian JTF member paid the ultimate price during the intense operation.
Goni disclosed that “Immediately upon receipt of the incident, theatre command scrambled both strike and Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (ISR) aircrafts from the Air Component of OPHK to support troops mobilised to the area for a coordinated search and rescue operation.”
An intense exchange of gunfire followed as soldiers engaged the fleeing terrorists in the area.
Goni confirmed that “a soldier and a member of the Civilian Joint Task Force made the supreme sacrifice during the intense exchange of fire with the terrorists”.
With guidance from air platforms overhead, the troops made contact with the gunmen around Daggu.
After the exchange, Goni said the operation “has so far resulted in the successful rescue of ten victims, who were unhurt and are currently receiving the necessary care and support, while efforts remain ongoing to rescue the remaining victim and bring the perpetrators to justice.”
During the engagement, troops outmanoeuvred the terrorists, inflicting casualties on them and capturing seven of their motorcycles, which significantly disrupted their escape.
The rescued students are receiving necessary care and support as search efforts continue for any other victims.
Security forces have vowed to sustain the manhunt until the remaining victim is freed and all those responsible for the attack are brought to justice.