Troops foil mass abduction attempt at Nigerian girls' college

Nigerian troops and police successfully thwarted an attempted mass abduction by ISWAP terrorists at the Federal Government Girls College (FGGC) in Monguno in the early hours of July 19, 2026. The college is currently serving as temporary accommodation for students of the Federal Polytechnic.

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

According to Captain Mohammed Goni, Acting Media Information Officer for Headquarters Joint Task Force North East Operation HADIN KAI, the terrorists infiltrated the facility with the help of suspected collaborators. However, alert security personnel engaged them with "coordinated and overwhelming firepower." The Sector 3 Quick Reaction Force (QRF) reinforced the school, forcing the terrorists to abandon their mission and flee.

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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.

During the operation, some school infrastructure was damaged, but the security forces contained the situation. All 46 students were rescued and evacuated to Kinnasara Barracks for medical assessment. While all students were confirmed medically stable and no one was abducted, "some students were fatally struck by the sporadic gunfire from the terrorists during the firefight," Goni stated.

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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.

Operation HADIN KAI extended condolences to the families of the deceased and vowed to continue measures to protect lives and public institutions in the North East. Investigations are underway to identify collaborators, and troops are tracking the fleeing terrorists. The operation remains committed to pressuring terrorist elements and ensuring the safety of educational institutions.

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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.