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The Nigerian Army has confirmed the safe and successful rescue of ten National Examinations Council (NECO) candidates and teachers abducted during an ISWAP attack on Lassa Community in Askira Uba Local Government Area of Borno State.

The rescue was confirmed in a statement on Monday by the Acting Military Information Officer, Headquarters Joint Task Force North East, Operation HADIN KAI, Maiduguri, Captain Mohammed Goni.

According to him, the Theatre Command scrambled both strike and Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (ISR) aircraft from the Air Component of OPHK to support troops mobilised to the area for a coordinated search and rescue operation.

The spokesperson, however, disclosed that one soldier and a member of the Civilian Joint Task Force lost their lives during the exchange of fire with the terrorists.

As earlier reported by Naija News, armed men invaded the school while the students were writing exams and abducted some of the students.

However, the Army confirmed that troops, in conjunction with other security operatives, engaged the abductors in a gun fight, leading to the rescue of some of the victims.

The statement by Goni added that efforts are ongoing to rescue other victims.

Below is the full statement.

TROOPS OF OPERATION HADIN KAI RESCUE ABDUCTED NECO CANDIDATES IN LASSA, INTENSIFY SEARCH FOR REMAINING VICTIMS

“Troops of Operation HADIN KAI (OPHK) have successfully rescued ten National Examinations Council (NECO) candidates and teachers abducted during an ISWAP attack on Lassa Community in Askira Uba Local Government Area of Borno State. The attack, which occured at about 0900 hours (9:00 a.m.) on Monday, 29 June 2026, targeted the Technical Secondary School while the students were writing exams. Immediately upon reciept of the incident, Theatre Command scrambled both strike and Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (ISR) aircrafts from the Air Component of OPHK to support troops mobilised to the area for a coordinated search and rescue operation.

“The troops, with support from the air platforms overhead providing guidance, made contact around DAGGU and after the firefight, the operation has so far resulted in the successful rescue of ten victims, who were unhurt and are currently receiving the necessary care and support, while efforts remain ongoing to rescue the remaining victim and bring the perpetrators to justice. During the contact, troops out maneuvered the fleeing terrorists inflicting casualties on them and capturing seven of their motorcycles, significantly disrupting their escape.

“Regrettably, during the intense firefight, one gallant soldier of OPHK and a member of the Civilian Joint Task Force made the supreme sacrifice during the intense exchange of fire with the terrorists. Their courage, selflessness and unwavering commitment exemplify the collective resolve of security forces and local volunteers who continue to risk their lives daily to protect innocent citizens and restore peace across the North East.

“In collaboration with other security agencies and relevant stakeholders, troops have intensified operations and sustained pressure on the terrorist elements responsible for the attack. Security measures across the affected area have also been reinforced to protect vulnerable communities, safeguard schools and prevent any recurrence. The incident further underscores the desperation of terrorist groups who, faced with sustained pressure from ongoing military operations, have resorted to attacking soft targets and vulnerable members of society in a futile attempt to sustain their campaign of terror. However, such cowardly acts will neither deter OPHK’s resolve nor diminish its commitment to dismantling terrorist networks and restoring lasting peace and security across the North East.

“Operation HADIN KAI remains steadfast in its mandate to protect civilians, safeguard critical national infrastructure, and create a secure environment for educational activities and other essential services to thrive. Members of the public are encouraged to remain vigilant and continue to provide timely and credible information to security agencies to facilitate prompt operational response. The public is also urged to disregard unverified reports and misinformation relating to this incident and rely only on updates issued through official channels, as ongoing operations may necessitate further verified updates.”

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The General Overseer of Goodness of Jesus Ministry, Wula, in Boki Local Government Area of Cross River State, Pastor Roman Samson Okoye, is currently being interrogated by detectives at the Homicide Section of the Cross River State Police Command over the alleged flogging to death of a 13-year-old girl, Nancy Peter, with a horsewhip, for allegedly stealing N30,000.

The teenager was reportedly taken to the pastor for counselling, but the session allegedly turned tragic when he began flogging her repeatedly until she collapsed and died.

Her mother, Agnes Peter, who is now regretting taking her daughter to the cleric, said she only wanted him to counsel and pray for the girl.

“If I had known that this would lead to her death, I would never have taken her to my pastor,” she lamented.

The pastor and the deceased’s mother have both been arrested by the Cross River State Police Command.

It was gathered that on June 1, 2026, Agnes Peter took her daughter to Pastor Okoye’s residence after accusing her of stealing money. The mother reportedly alleged that the teenager had repeatedly stolen from her and was becoming wayward.

A police source at the Homicide Section of the command, who spoke on condition of anonymity, told Saturday Sun: “The incident happened on June 1, 2026, when the mother took her 13-year-old daughter to her pastor’s house over the alleged theft of N30,000.

“The woman said she had kept N30,000 at home and could not find it when she needed it. She accused her daughter of stealing the money and took her to the pastor.

“The woman left the girl with the pastor. By the time she returned, the pastor had allegedly flogged the girl severely with a horsewhip and was taking her to the hospital, where she was confirmed dead.”

Narrating his version of events, Pastor Okoye said: “My name is Roman Samson Okoye. I am 45 years old and the General Overseer of Goodness of Jesus Ministry. Before starting my ministry, I worked in several churches, including Mountain of Fire and Miracles Ministries (MFM), Mount Sinai Church and Minister of God Church.

“I started my ministry some years ago. I met Mrs Peter about four years ago when she had a misunderstanding with her husband. She had three children for him, but he sent her away. I do not know what happened between them. The man was not a member of my church; only the woman and her children attended my church.

“When she came to me, she had nothing. I began supporting the family by helping with the children’s school fees and upkeep.

“God answered her prayers and she started a fish business. The girl had been stealing her mother’s money. Whenever the woman complained, I would appeal to her to remain calm. I would call the girl and scold her. This happened more than 20 times.

“On June 1 this year, the woman brought the girl to my house. She complained that the girl had stolen her money again and was also in the habit of staying away from home. She said the girl stole N30,000 and asked me to beat her. She also said she had already beaten her but wanted me to discipline her as well.

“I took my horsewhip and started beating her. I gave her about 15 strokes before I noticed she had become very weak. I immediately rushed her to the hospital, but she died before we arrived.

“I feel very sad. I never intended to kill her. It was her mother who insisted that she should be beaten. She was like a daughter to me. I deeply regret what happened and I do not know what to do now.”

However, the deceased’s mother, Agnes Peter, a resident of Obanliku in Boki Local Government Area, denied asking the pastor to flog her daughter. She insisted that she only took the teenager to him for counselling and prayers.

The mother of three said: “It is true that I took my daughter to the pastor after I discovered that my N30,000 was missing. It was not the first time she had stolen my money and it was not the first time I reported her to the pastor.

“On that day, when she refused to disclose where she kept the money, she later confessed while we were at the pastor’s house and told me she had hidden it in one of her trousers.

“I immediately left to verify her claim and found the N30,000 in the pocket of one of her trousers. The pastor had not started beating her when I left.

“While returning, I saw him rushing my daughter to the hospital. I met him on the way.

“I did not tell him to kill my daughter. I only wanted him to scold, counsel and pray for her. I was not there when he allegedly beat her. I only saw him taking her to the hospital.”

The spokesperson of the Cross River State Police Command, ASP Ewa Eitokpah Sunday, confirmed the arrest of the suspects and reiterated the command’s commitment to protecting lives and property across the state.

According to him, investigations into the incident were ongoing. He assured of the command’s committed to ensuring that justice is served.

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The Edo State Police Command on Saturday said it rescued 11 people who were abducted by suspected kidnappers from their farms in Ogbido Community, Iyahmo, in Etsako East Local Government Area of the state.

It said that the victims were rescued during a coordinated operation carried out by operatives of the Iyahmo Division, local vigilantes, and hunters following a distress call received on Thursday, June 25, 2026.

According to a statement issued by the Police Public Relations Officer, ASP Eno Ikioedem, the rescue team immediately launched a search operation in the surrounding forest where the victims were believed to have been taken.

The statement said the operatives encountered the kidnappers, leading to a fierce gun duel.

“Overwhelmed by the superior firepower and tactical response of the operatives, the kidnappers abandoned their captives and fled into the forest,” the statement revealed.

The rescued victims comprised nine males and two females.

Police said all the victims were rescued unhurt and taken to a hospital for medical examination before being reunited with their families.

The Commissioner of Police in Edo State, CP Monday Agbonika, commended the gallantry and resilience of the police operatives, local vigilantes, and hunters whose prompt response led to the successful rescue operation.

He assured residents that the Command has intensified security operations across the area and remains committed to ensuring the safety of lives and property.

The police commissioner also appealed to members of the public to continue providing timely and credible information to security agencies to aid the fight against crime and criminality in the state.

Meanwhile, the Command said efforts are ongoing to track down and arrest the fleeing suspects.