From Muhammad Muhammad Al-amin, Maiduguri

Troops of Operation HADIN KAI, 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, Borno State.

The incident occurred at about 1:30 a.

According to a statement issued by the Acting Military Information Officer of Operation HADIN KAI, Captain Mohammed Goni, the terrorists allegedly gained access to the facility with the assistance of suspected collaborators in an attempt to abduct the students.

The statement said alert security personnel immediately engaged the terrorists with coordinated firepower, while the Sector 3 Quick Reaction Force (QRF) swiftly reinforced the school.

It added that the terrorists were overwhelmed by the superior firepower and resistance of the troops and police personnel, forcing them to abandon their mission and flee without abducting any student.

The military disclosed that parts of the school infrastructure were damaged during the exchange of gunfire.

Following the operation, all 46 students in the facility were rescued and evacuated to Kinnasara Barracks in Monguno, where they received medical assessment and necessary care.

The military confirmed that all the rescued students were medically stable and that no student was abducted.

However, it expressed regret that some students were fatally struck by sporadic gunfire from the terrorists during the firefight.

Operation HADIN KAI extended its condolences to the families of the deceased and assured the public that security measures had been strengthened to protect residents, educational institutions and other critical infrastructure across the North-East.

The military also disclosed that investigations were ongoing to identify and apprehend suspected collaborators, while troops and other security agencies had commenced efforts to track down the fleeing terrorists.

Captain Goni reaffirmed the commitment of Operation HADIN KAI to sustain pressure on terrorist groups, dismantle their operational capabilities and ensure the safety of schools and communities across the region.

Troops of Operation HADIN KAI (OPHK) have apprehended suspected terrorist informants and logistics suppliers, received the surrender of an ISWAP member and destroyed improvised explosive devices (IED) in the last 24 hours across Borno.

An operational report made available to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Thursday said troops of 195 Battalion and members of the Civilian Joint Task Force (CJTF) apprehended a suspected ISWAP/JAS informant in Dusuman Ward, Mafa Local Government Area.

According to the report, preliminary investigation revealed that the suspect allegedly met with terrorists at Labe village to provide intelligence on troop movements and activities.

It added that troops of 73 Battalion arrested a suspected ISWAP member in Konduga Local Government Area after he voluntarily surrendered.

The army said the suspect confessed to participating in three attacks on Delwa and disclosed that he dumped his AK-47 rifle in a river before surrendering to troops.

“Items recovered from him included a bicycle, a cutlass, bicycle repair tools and ₦6,500 cash.

“In another operation, troops of 149 Battalion and CJTF arrested another suspected terrorist informant in Gubio Local Government Area.

“The suspect confessed to leading the June 16 terrorist infiltration of Gubio, during which a CJTF member was killed.

“Meanwhile, troops of 19 Battalion and 25 Brigade Garrison intercepted suspected terrorist logistics suppliers near Road Kauji in Damboa Local Government Area.

“The suspects fled on sighting troops, abandoning two bicycles, cartons of energy drinks, milk, soft drinks, veterinary medicines and a canopy,” it said.

The army said that troops of 26 Task Force Brigade discovered and safely detonated an IED planted by terrorists in a farming area around Dagari in Sambisa Forest, Bama Local Government Area.

It said the operations were part of sustained efforts to dismantle terrorist support networks, deny insurgents freedom of movement and improve security across the North-East.

The Nigerian Air Force (NAF) has urged Nigerians to trust its official communications, saying every statement issued by the service is factual, verifiable and aimed at promoting national security.

The Director of Public Relations and Information, Air Commodore Ehimen Ejodame, made the appeal while receiving the executive members of the Defence Correspondents Association of Nigeria (DECAN) on a courtesy visit to NAF Headquarters, Abuja.

This was contained in a statement by the President of DECAN, Sunday Odita, on Tuesday in Abuja.

Ejodame said misinformation and public scepticism often undermine the efforts of the military, stressing that the NAF remained committed to truthfulness, accuracy and credibility in all its public communications.

He illustrated the challenge with a personal story, recalling that even his father once doubted an official NAF statement because he believed it was merely what the military asked him to say.

“There are times when people simply do not believe what we say, and that can be quite painful.

“I remember joking with my father during a conversation about one of our official statements. He told a friend, ‘That is just what they asked my son to say.’

“I had to ask him, ‘Even you don’t believe me?’ Yet I was telling the truth,” he said.

Ejodame said the experience strengthened his resolve to ensure every statement issued by the Directorate could withstand public scrutiny at any time.

“Since I became Director of Public Relations and Information, I cannot remember issuing any statement that was not truthful.

“Everything we release is something we can confidently defend today or even twenty years from now. We stand by the accuracy of our communications,” he said.

He urged Nigerians to rely on official information released by the Air Force instead of rumours, misinformation and unverified social media reports.

According to him, the spread of false information can inadvertently aid terrorist groups by creating fear, confusion and distrust among citizens.

The NAF spokesman also commended defence correspondents for their professionalism and commitment to verifying facts before publication.

“There have been occasions when you received information but chose to withhold publication until we confirmed the facts.

“Rather than rush to publish unverified reports, you exercised restraint. That means a great deal, not only to the Nigerian Air Force but also to the nation,” he said.

DECAN President, Odita commended the NAF for its sacrifices in combating terrorism, banditry, kidnapping, oil theft and other security threats.

Odita said the association remained committed to ethical and responsible defence reporting, while calling for stronger collaboration through regular media briefings, improved access to information, operational engagements and capacity-building programmes.

He also disclosed that the association was concluding arrangements for the launch of The Defence Correspondent Journal and expressed optimism that the Nigerian Air Force would support the initiative.

Both parties reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening cooperation to promote credible information, enhance public understanding of military operations and contribute to national security.