Troops of Operation Hadin Kai, in collaboration with personnel of the Nigeria Police Mobile Force (MOPOL), have foiled an attempted abduction of students by suspected fighters of the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) at the Federal Government Girls College (FGGC), Monguno, in Borno State.

The Acting Military Information Officer of Operation Hadin Kai, Captain Mohammed Goni, disclosed in a statement on Sunday that the terrorists launched the attack at about 1:30 a.m. on Saturday.

They allegedly gained access to the school with the assistance of suspected collaborators.

According to the statement, the FGGC premises are currently serving as a temporary hostel for students of the Federal Polytechnic, Monguno.

Security personnel on duty immediately engaged the attackers, while the Sector 3 Quick Reaction Force (QRF) swiftly reinforced the school, confronting the terrorists with what the military described as "coordinated and overwhelming firepower."

Faced with the superior response of the troops and police personnel, the insurgents abandoned their mission and fled without abducting any student.

The military said all 46 students in the school were successfully rescued and evacuated to Kinnasara Barracks, Monguno, where they received medical assessment and appropriate care.

It added that all the rescued students were confirmed medically stable and that no student was abducted during the attack.

However, the operation recorded casualties as some students were fatally struck by stray bullets allegedly fired by the fleeing terrorists during the exchange of gunfire.

The military did not disclose the exact number of those killed, while noting that it remains unclear whether the deceased were students of the Federal Government Girls College or the Federal Polytechnic, Monguno.

Captain Goni also disclosed that parts of the school's infrastructure were damaged during the attack but stressed that the security forces successfully contained the situation and prevented what could have been another mass school abduction.

Operation Hadin Kai expressed condolences to the families of the deceased and reassured residents that every necessary measure is being taken, in collaboration with the Borno State Government, to protect lives and secure critical public institutions across the North-East.

The military further revealed that efforts are underway to identify and apprehend the suspected collaborators who allegedly aided the attackers, while security operatives continue to track the fleeing ISWAP terrorists.