Gunfire Hits Students as Security Forces Prevent Kidnapping in Borno

Some students of Federal Polytechnic, Mungono in Borno State were killed when security forces stopped a kidnapping attempt on Sunday. The Nigerian military reported that the students were “fatally struck” during the incident.

The clash happened around 1:30 a.m. Joint security forces, including troops from Operation Hardin Kai and the Nigeria Police Mobile Force (MOPOL), confronted terrorists from the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) who were trying to abduct the students.

The exact number of students killed and injured is not clear yet. However, the military stated that 46 students were evacuated to a military facility for medical checks and care.

Mohammed Goni, acting spokesperson for the task force, said the kidnapping attempt was “successfully” stopped. Captain Goni expressed the military’s “deepest” condolences to the families of the deceased students.

He added that the task force, in partnership with the Borno State Government, would work to protect the lives of residents and secure important public institutions in the North-east.

The terrorists attacked the Federal Government Girls College (FGGC), Monguno. This school is currently serving as temporary accommodation for Federal Polytechnic students. “The terrorists reportedly gained access to the facility with the help of suspected collaborators in an attempt to abduct students,” Goni explained, noting that security forces reacted quickly.

“Alert security personnel engaged the terrorists with coordinated and overwhelming firepower. They effectively stopped their advance, with Sector 3 Quick Reaction Force (QRF) reinforcing the school,” he said. He mentioned that the terrorists were overwhelmed and fled “in confusion without achieving their objective.”

“During the encounter, parts of the school infrastructure were damaged,” he shared. “All rescued students have been confirmed medically stable, and no student was abducted,” he continued. “Regrettably, some students were fatally struck by the stray gunfire from the terrorists during the fight.”

Goni stated that efforts are ongoing to identify and catch the suspected collaborators. “Troops and other security agencies are actively tracking the fleeing terrorists.”