….. As Gunmen abduct Pastor’s wife, three children in Borno LGA
By Salihu Pirkusu, Maiduguri
Troops of Operation HADIN KAI (OPHK), in collaboration with personnel of the Nigeria Police Mobile Force (MOPOL), successfully foiled an attempted mass abduction by ISWAP terrorists at the Federal Government Girls College (FGGC), Monguno, at about 0130 hours (1:30 a.m.) on 19 July 2026.
The FGGC facility is currently being utilized by the Borno State Government as temporary hostel accommodation for students of the Federal Polytechnic, Monguno town.
This was disclosed by the Acting Media Information Officer Headquarters Joint Task Force North East Operation HADIN KAI, Captain Mohammed Goni in a press statement on Sunday.
“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. 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. 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”. Goni said.
Continuing he added: “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. Regrettably, some students were fatally struck by the sporadic gunfire from the terrorists during the firefight.
“Operation HADIN KAI extends its deepest condolences to the families of the deceased and reassures the public that all necessary measures are being taken to safeguard the lives of residents and protect critical public institutions across the North East in liaison with the Borno State Government.
“Exploitation of the incident is ongoing to identify and apprehend the suspected collaborators, while troops and other security agencies are actively tracking the fleeing terrorists.
“Operation HADIN KAI remains steadfast in its commitment to sustaining relentless pressure on terrorist elements, denying them freedom of action, dismantling their operational capability, and ensuring that educational institutions and other critical infrastructure across the North East remain safe and secure”. Goni explained.
…Gunmen abduct Pastor’s wife, three children in Borno LGA
Meanwhile, Gunmen suspected to be members of Boko Haram/ISWAP terrorists have abducted the wife of a Pastor incharge of COCIN Church, Moses G. Guguma, and his three (3) children in Damasak, the Headquarters of Mobbar local government area of Borno state.
Damasak, located in Northern Borno Senatorial District and is about 156kms drive from Maiduguri, the state capital.
A Source from the community said the incident happened on Saturday around 12 noon, when the family were traveling to Damasak.
According to reliable Source, the wife of the Pastor was hospitalized for sometime at a hospital in Maiduguri, and was discharged, which they embarked on the Journey of no return from Maiduguri to Damasak.
“The terrorists stopped the commercial vehicle closed to Kareto village and asked the pastor’s wife, along with her 3 children to disembark from the vehicle, leaving other passengers and the driver”. One of the sources said.
“The wife of the clergyman, whose identity is being withheld was recently discharged from hospital in Maiduguri after a prolong ailment”.
The Source added.
As of the time of filing this report, the whereabouts of the victims remain unknown.
A local resident, who spoke under the condition of anonymity, reached out for prayers and solidarity, noting that the victims were targeted specifically due to their religious identity.
…Troops destroy ISWAP hideout, recover weapon in Borno clearance operation
Troops of Joint Task Force North East ‘Operation HADIN KAI’ have destroyed a suspected Boko Haram/ISWAP terrorist hideout and recovered arms during a clearance operation in Gubio Local Government Area of Borno State.
Gubio in Northern Borno Senatorial District is over 100kms drive from Maiduguri The state capital.
Sources revealed that the operation was conducted at about 9:30am on Saturday following credible intelligence on the movement of terrorists around the Layi general area.
The sources said troops of 145 Battalion (Mechanised), led by the Commanding Officer, mobilised to the location where the terrorists, on sighting the advancing soldiers, fled in disarray.
The troops subsequently overran and destroyed the terrorist hideout before exploiting the area, leading to the recovery of one pump-action rifle and three AK-47 magazines abandoned by the fleeing insurgents.
The troops also projected force to Mallamti Ganyawa village as part of the operation but made no contact with the terrorists.
The operation was completed without casualties, and the troops returned safely to base at about 2:45pm.
Military sources described the general security situation in the area as relatively calm but unpredictable, adding that troops remain on high alert while sustaining offensive operations against terrorist elements across the theatre.
