An undisclosed number of students have been killed after suspected Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) terrorists attempted to abduct students from a school hostel in Monguno, Borno State.

It was learnt that the Nigerian troops foiled the attack and rescued 46 students from the school.

The military disclosed this in a statement issued on Sunday by the Acting Military Information Officer of Operation HADIN KAI, Captain Mohammed Goni, who said the students were rescued during the failed abduction, although some lost their lives after being hit by the terrorists’ gunfire.

According to the statement, the attack occurred at about 1:30 a.m. on Saturday at the Federal Government Girls College (FGGC), Monguno, which is currently being used by the Borno State Government as a temporary hostel for students of the Federal Polytechnic, Monguno.

Captain Goni said troops of Operation HADIN KAI, working alongside personnel of the Nigeria Police Mobile Force (MOPOL), responded swiftly after suspected ISWAP terrorists reportedly infiltrated the facility with the assistance of collaborators.

“The terrorists reportedly gained access to the facility with the assistance of suspected collaborators in an attempt to abduct students,” the statement read.

It said security personnel immediately engaged the attackers, while troops from Sector 3 Quick Reaction Force moved in to reinforce the school.

“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,” it said.

According to the military, the terrorists were unable to carry out the planned abduction because of the fierce resistance mounted by security forces.

“Confronted by the superior combat capability and determined resistance of the security forces, the terrorists were forced to abandon their criminal mission and flee in confusion without achieving their objective,” the statement added.

Although the military confirmed that no student was abducted, it disclosed that some students were killed during the exchange of gunfire.

“Following the operation, 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,” the statement said.

“Regrettably, some students were fatally struck by the sporadic gunfire from the terrorists during the firefight.”

The military did not disclose the number of students killed.

Operation HADIN KAI said parts of the school infrastructure were damaged during the attack and expressed condolences to the families of the victims.

It added that investigations were ongoing to identify and arrest suspected collaborators believed to have aided the terrorists in gaining access to the school, while troops had launched a manhunt for the fleeing attackers.

The latest attack comes amid renewed concerns over the safety of schools in Nigeria’s North-East, where Boko Haram and ISWAP have repeatedly targeted educational institutions in mass abductions and deadly attacks over the past decade despite government assurances on improved security.