The Nigerian Air Force said air superiority and intelligence surveillance of the military aided the rescue of the abducted students of Government Day Secondary School, Lassa, Askira/Uba Local Government Area of Borno.
This is contained in a statement on Tuesday in Abuja by Air Commodore Ehimen Ejodame, Director of Public Relations and Information, Nigerian Air Force Headquarters.
The assailants attacked the school on Monday morning while students were taking the Senior School Certificate Examination (SSCE) organised by the National Examination Council (NECO).
Ejodame quoted the Chief of the Air Staff (CAS), Air Marshal Sunday Aneke, as lauding the swift deployment of Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (ISR) assets, alongside timely air support.
Aneke said that the development disrupted the terrorists’ movement and enabled ground troops to engage the fleeing insurgents and rescue the victims.
He described the operation as a testament to the effectiveness of intelligence-driven joint military operations in protecting innocent Nigerians and sustaining pressure on terrorist elements.
The CAS also commended personnel of the Air Component of Operation HADIN KAI and their land counterparts for the successful rescue of the abducted students and teachers.
He noted that the victim’s account further validated the critical role of air power in modern counter-terrorism operations, particularly when effectively integrated with ground manoeuvre forces.
Aneke further paid tribute to the gallant soldier of Operation HADIN KAI and the member of the Civilian Joint Task Force who paid the supreme sacrifice during the rescue mission.
Speaking of the rescue, one of the victims, Mr Paul Namaske, Vice Principal of the school, said that the arrival of the military aircraft forced the terrorists to scatter, allowing the abducted teachers and students to escape as troops advanced on the terrorists’ position.
