FG contradicts military over attack on Borno school

The Federal Government has dismissed an attack on the Federal Government Girls’ College (FGGC) in the Monguno area of Borno State.

The military had disclosed that the troops of Operation Hadin Kai, in collaboration with personnel of the Nigeria Police Mobile Force, foiled an attempted mass abduction by ISWAP terrorists at the college at about 1:30 a.m. on Sunday, July 19, 2026.

The spokesperson for Operation Hadin Kai, Captain Mohammed Goni, in a statement issued on Sunday, said the FGGC facility has since been used by the Borno State Government as temporary hostel accommodation for students of the Federal Polytechnic, Monguno.

Goni noted that terrorists gained access to the facility with the assistance of suspected collaborators in an attempt to abduct students, adding that security personnel immediately engaged the terrorists with coordinated and overwhelming firepower, effectively stalling the insurgents’ advance.

He further revealed that some students were killed during the attack, while 46 others were rescued.

Goni stated: “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.”

However, the federal government debunked the attack, describing the claims as false and capable of causing unnecessary panic among parents and the public.

The Federal Ministry of Education, in a statement issued on Monday by its Director of Press and Public Relations, Folasade Boriowo, said the college remains safe and secure, with all students and staff accounted for and academic activities continuing without disruption.

Troops foil ISWAP attack on Girls’ College, rescue 46 students in Borno

It stressed that there was no attack on the school, noting that FGGC Monguno operates under robust security arrangements put in place to ensure the protection of students, staff and school facilities.

The statement quoted the Minister of Education, Dr. Tunji Alausa, as reaffirming that the safety, security, and welfare of learners in all Federal Government Colleges remain a top priority of the federal government.

Alausa clarified that no student of FGGC Monguno was involved in the incident being linked to the school, explaining that those affected were remedial students outside the college and that the Borno State Government was already taking steps to ensure their safety and welfare.

The ministry urged the media, social media users, and online platforms to verify information from credible and official sources before publishing or sharing it.

It warned that the spread of unverified information fuels public anxiety, erodes confidence and distracts from efforts aimed at providing safe and conducive learning environments for students across the country.

The ministry also appealed to parents and guardians to remain calm, assuring them that there is no security threat at the college and that normal academic and boarding activities are ongoing.

It reiterated its commitment to working with security agencies, state governments and school authorities to sustain safety across all Federal Government Colleges, while promising to continue providing timely and accurate information through its official communication channels.