NAF Reveals How Air Surveillance Aided Rescue Of Borno Abducted Students

The Nigerian Air Force, NAF, has said the successful rescue of the abducted students and teachers of Government Day Secondary School, Lassa, in Askira/Uba Local Government Area of Borno State was achieved through effective air dominance and intelligence-driven military operations.

Air Commodore Ehimen Ejodame, Director of Public Relations and Information, NAF Headquarters, disclosed this in a statement issued on Tuesday in Abuja.

The students were abducted by suspected terrorists on Monday when they attacked the school while candidates were sitting for the Senior School Certificate Examination, SSCE, conducted by the National Examination Council, NECO.

The Chief of the Air Staff, CAS, Air Marshal Sunday Aneke, according to the statement, commended the quick deployment of Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance, ISR, assets as well as timely air support, which disrupted the movement of the attackers and enabled ground troops to engage them.

Aneke said the operation demonstrated the effectiveness of intelligence-led joint military operations in protecting civilians and maintaining pressure on terrorist groups.

He praised also the personnel of the Air Component of Operation HADIN KAI and ground troops for their roles in the rescue operation.

The Air Chief said that the accounts of the rescued victims also underscored the significance of air power in modern counter-terrorism operations, especially when integrated with ground forces.

He also paid tribute to a soldier of Operation HADIN KAI and a member of the Civilian Joint Task Force who died during the rescue mission.

Paul Namaske, the school’s Vice Principal, said the arrival of military aircraft caused the terrorists to scatter, allowing the abducted students and teachers to flee as troops moved toward the attackers’ position.

As part of its ongoing efforts to restore security in the North-East, the military has continued its operations against the terrorist groups.