FG dismisses report of ISWAP attack on Girls College in Monguno

The Federal Ministry of Education has categorically denied allegations that suspected Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) militants attacked the Federal Government Girls College (FGGC) in Monguno, Borno State, resulting in casualties among students. According to officials, the reports are false, and the school remains operational with no signs of intrusion or violence. The ministry’s press officer, Mrs Folasade Boriowo, confirmed this during a phone interview, stating that internal checks, including direct contact with the school’s principal, verified the safety of the campus and the continuity of educational activities. The denial comes in response to claims circulating in local media that ISWAP operatives launched a pre-dawn assault on the school on Sunday. These reports suggested that the attackers stormed the premises around 1:30 a.m., targeting the institution, which is temporarily housing students from the Federal Polytechnic, Monguno. Some accounts claimed that the assailants killed several students and attempted to abduct others. However, these assertions were contradicted by the ministry's findings, which indicated no such incident occurred. The conflicting narratives have sparked confusion among parents, students, and community members. While the ministry insists that the school is secure and that all operations proceed normally, other sources have reported that military forces, working alongside the Nigeria Police Mobile Force (MOPOL), thwarted an attempted abduction involving approximately 46 students. A statement attributed to the Acting Military Information Officer of Operation HADIN KAI, Lieutenant Mohammed Goni, reportedly detailed how insurgents managed to enter the facility with the help of suspected accomplices. Troops from the Sector 3 Quick Reaction Force then intervened, forcing the attackers to retreat. Despite the military’s claim of an attempted attack being neutralized, the Ministry of Education maintains that its investigations have found no evidence supporting these claims. Boriowo emphasized that the ministry’s verification process included direct engagement with the school’s leadership, ensuring that the information disseminated to the public aligns with reality. She reiterated that the school’s environment remains free from threats, and that students continue their studies undisturbed. The discrepancy between the military’s account and the ministry’s findings highlights the complexity of verifying incidents in regions affected by insurgency. While the military’s version suggests a real threat was averted, the education ministry’s stance underscores the need for careful validation of such claims. This situation reflects broader challenges faced by authorities in accurately assessing and communicating security developments in volatile areas. Parents and guardians of students at the school have expressed concern over the conflicting information. Many remain uncertain about the true state of affairs, fearing potential risks to their children’s safety. Meanwhile, local residents and educators await further clarity from both government agencies and security forces. The Ministry of Education has urged the public to rely on official statements and to refrain from spreading unverified information. As the situation unfolds, the focus will likely shift toward resolving the apparent contradiction between the two accounts. Further investigations by both the ministry and security agencies may provide more definitive answers. In the meantime, the school continues to operate under the assurance that it is free from external threats, though the debate over the accuracy of the initial reports persists.