Two Heroes Fall, 10 Students Rescued in Borno Forest Showdown.

Army troops and civilian fighters pay ultimate price to free NECO candidates from terrorist clutches

The forest around Lassa community in Borno State became a battlefield yesterday when security forces staged a daring rescue operation that saved 10 students sitting for their NECO examinations. But victory came at a terrible cost one soldier and one member of the Civilian Joint Task Force gave their lives in the fierce exchange of gunfire.

The nightmare began when terrorists stormed Lassa Day Secondary School on motorcycles, firing wildly before dragging away students and women traders who happened to be on the school grounds. It was a scene that has become all too familiar in this troubled region.

A Narrow Escape Under Fire:

For Paul Namaske, the school's Vice Principal, the ordeal was terrifyingly close. In a shaky video recording, he described how the insurgents marched them deep into the bush. But providence intervened when military aircraft began circling overhead.

"The terrorists started scattering when they heard the planes," Namaske recounted. "Then we heard soldiers' gunfire. That's when we made our run for it."

The vice principal estimated that over 20 students and two teachers were initially taken. The chaos of the rescue made it difficult to keep count, he admitted.

The Rescue Mission:

According to Captain Muhammed Goni, spokesperson for Operation Hadin Kai, the rescue was a coordinated effort between ground troops and air support. The breakthrough came around Daggu area, where forces engaged the abductors in a firefight.

Seven motorcycles were recovered from the fleeing terrorists. The rescued victims emerged unharmed and are now receiving necessary care.

But the commissioner for Information and Internal Security, Usman Tar, struck a note of caution: "Assessment is still ongoing. We're working to confirm the total number still missing."

Outrage and Heartbreak:

The attack has sparked fierce criticism. The Human Rights Writers Association of Nigeria (HURIWA) minced no words, describing the incident as a damning indictment of the country's security architecture.

"How many more schoolchildren must be kidnapped before the government admits its security strategy needs urgent restructuring?" the group demanded. "How many more soldiers must die battling increasingly emboldened terrorists?"

Former Senate Leader Ali Ndume echoed these frustrations, pointing out that just last month, 42 students were abducted in the same Askira/Uba Local Council.

"This fresh abduction is disconcerting," Ndume said. "We still don't know the fate of the children from Mussa who were kidnapped last month."

The Bigger Picture:

The attack represents more than just another security breach it's an assault on Nigeria's educational system and its future. With each school attack, the country edges closer to reversing decades of progress in educational advancement.

As families anxiously wait for news of those still missing, one thing remains clear: the battle against insurgency is far from over, and the price of freedom continues to be measured in precious lives lost.