Lassa Attack: How NAF Air Support Helped Rescue Abducted NECO Candidates In Borno

June 30 () — The Nigerian Air Force (NAF), on Tuesday, detailed how the rapid deployment of air assets and intelligence support helped troops of Operation HADIN KAI rescue students and teachers abducted during Monday’s terrorist attack on Government Day Secondary School, Lassa, in Askira/Uba Local Government Area of Borno State.

The Air Force said the coordinated operation, which combined Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (ISR) capabilities with close air support and ground troops, disrupted the terrorists’ escape route and enabled the successful rescue of the abducted victims.

In a statement issued by the Director of Public Relations and Information at the Nigerian Air Force Headquarters, Air Commodore Ehimen Ejodame, the Chief of the Air Staff (CAS), Air Marshal Sunday Aneke, commended the Air Component of Operation HADIN KAI for its swift response to the incident.

The terrorists had attacked the school on Monday morning while students were writing the Senior School Certificate Examination organised by the National Examinations Council (NECO), abducting an unspecified number of candidates and teachers before fleeing the area.

According to the statement, the Theatre Command immediately deployed Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance aircraft and strike platforms to support troops conducting search-and-rescue operations.

On Monday, Operation HADIN KAI announced the rescue of 10 abducted NECO candidates and teachers after troops engaged suspected Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) terrorists around the Daggu area following the attack on Lassa. The military said several terrorists were neutralised during the encounter, while seven motorcycles used by the attackers were recovered.

Aneke said the timely deployment of the air assets disrupted the movement of the terrorists and provided critical intelligence that enabled ground forces to engage the fleeing insurgents and rescue the abducted students and teachers.

He described the mission as another demonstration of the effectiveness of intelligence-led joint military operations in protecting civilians and sustaining pressure on terrorist groups operating in the North-East.

The Chief of the Air Staff also praised personnel of the Air Component of Operation HADIN KAI and the ground forces for their professionalism and courage during the operation.

According to him, the accounts given by the rescued victims further underscored the strategic importance of air power in modern counter-terrorism operations when effectively integrated with land forces.

One of the rescued victims, the Vice Principal of Government Day Secondary School, Lassa, Mr Paul Namaske, said the arrival of military aircraft changed the course of the attack.

He recalled that the aircraft forced the terrorists to scatter, creating an opportunity for the abducted students and teachers to escape as troops advanced on the insurgents’ positions.

The Air Chief also paid tribute to the Operation HADIN KAI soldier and a member of the Civilian Joint Task Force (CJTF), who lost their lives during the rescue mission, describing their sacrifice as a reflection of the dedication and bravery of security personnel working to restore peace in the North-East.

Security agencies said operations remain ongoing to track down the fleeing insurgents, rescue any remaining victims and strengthen security around vulnerable communities and schools in the region.