Troops of the Joint Task Force (North East), Operation HADIN KAI (OPHK), have rescued 92 civilians kidnapped by suspected Boko Haram/ISWAP terrorists along the Buratai–Kamuya road in Biu Local Government Area of Borno State.
The military said the operation was carried out on Saturday following intelligence gathered through surveillance systems deployed by troops stationed in the area.
According to a statement issued by the Media Information Officer, Headquarters Joint Task Force (North East) Operation HADIN KAI, Lieutenant Colonel Sani Uba, troops of the 135 Special Forces Battalion at Dutse Kura detected terrorists forcefully herding civilians and vehicles off the highway into nearby bushes at about 11:22am.
The statement said the unit immediately activated its Quick Reaction Force while reinforcement troops from the 27 Task Force Brigade Garrison were mobilised to support the rescue mission.
The statement, “The troops swiftly converged on the terrorists in a coordinated pursuit towards the Mangari-Dora general area, engaging the insurgents and forcing them to abandon their captives and flee in disarray.”
The military disclosed that all 92 abducted civilians were rescued alive, comprising 52 men, 33 women and seven children. Eight vehicles allegedly seized by the terrorists were also recovered during the operation.
According to the military, the fleeing insurgents attempted to slow down advancing troops by planting three Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs) along the Bula Zarma and Mangari axis in a calculated ambush attempt.
However, the explosives were detected and safely detonated by the Explosive Ordnance Disposal team attached to the operation.
“The plot failed completely as the EOD team responded with precision and successfully detonated all three devices, clearing the route for troops to continue pursuit of the terrorists,” he added.
Troops reportedly chased the insurgents for about five kilometres beyond the Mangari area, while further search operations were conducted across surrounding locations.
The military said the terrorists eventually abandoned their captives, vehicles and operational plans before fleeing into the bush.
Operation HADIN KAI also stated that no soldier was killed or injured during the operation, and no equipment was lost.
The rescued civilians were later provided with immediate welfare assistance before being escorted safely to Damaturu to continue their journey.
The military described the operation as another demonstration of OPHK’s surveillance capability, operational reach and combat readiness in the North-East.
It added that the operation sends a clear message that terrorists operating in the region would continue to face swift and overwhelming force whenever civilians are targeted for attacks or abductions.
“This operation once again affirms the operational reach, surveillance capability and combat readiness of OPHK and serves as an unambiguous message that any attempt by terrorists to harm, kidnap or intimidate civilians will be met with swift and overwhelming force across the entirety of the North East Theatre,” the statement said.