The Troops of Hadin Kai under Nigerian Army have foiled mass abduction of female students of Federal Government Girls College (FGGC) by Islamic West African Province (ISWAP) in Monguno, Borno State.

A statement on Sunday by Mohammed Goni, the acting spokesman for the operation, said the terrorists’ operation was foiled by army and Nigeria Police Mobile Force at midnight. 

“At about 0130 hours (1:30 a.m.) on 19 July 2026. The FGGC facility is currently being utilised by the Borno State Government as temporary hostel accommodation for students of the Federal Polytechnic, Monguno,” he said.

He said that the terrorists reportedly gained access to the facility with the assistance of suspected collaborators in an attempt to abduct students. 

“Alert security personnel immediately engaged the terrorists with coordinated and overwhelming firepower, effectively stalling their advance with Sector 3 Quick Reaction Force (QRF) immediately reinforcing the school,” Mr Goni said. 

He explained that the terrorists were resisted by the security forces, noting that the confrontation forced them to abandon their criminal mission and flee in confusion without achieving their objective. 

“During the encounter, parts of the school infrastructure sustained damage but the attempt was well contained by troops in conjunction with the Nigeria Police Force personnel,” he said.

Mr Goni added that the troops successfully rescued and evacuated all 46 students to Kinnasara Barracks, Monguno, where they received immediate medical assessment and appropriate care. 

“All rescued students have been confirmed medically stable and no student was abducted.  Regrettably, some students were fatally struck by the sporadic gunfire from the terrorists during the firefight,” he said.