Troops of the Operation HADIN KAI have rescued 92 civilians abducted by suspected Boko Haram/ISWAP terrorists along the Buratai–Kamuya road in Biu Local Government Area of Borno State.
The rescue operation, which was carried out on Saturday by personnel of the Joint Task Force (North East), also resulted in the recovery of eight vehicles and the destruction of three improvised explosive devices allegedly planted by fleeing insurgents.
The development was disclosed in a statement released on Sunday by Sani Uba, the Media Information Officer at the Headquarters of Operation HADIN KAI.
According to the military, troops of the 135 Special Forces Battalion stationed at Dutse Kura detected suspicious movements by insurgents around 11:22 am while the terrorists were reportedly forcing civilians and motorists off the highway into surrounding bush paths.
Following the discovery, the battalion immediately deployed its Quick Reaction Force, while additional troops from the 27 Task Force Brigade Garrison were mobilised to reinforce the operation.
The military said the troops pursued the insurgents toward the Mangari-Dora axis, engaged them in combat, and forced them to abandon the abducted civilians before fleeing the area.
“All 92 kidnapped victims, comprising 52 males, 33 females and 7 children, along with 8 vehicles, were successfully recovered,” the statement noted.
According to the military, the fleeing insurgents attempted to delay the advancing troops by planting three improvised explosive devices along the Bula Zarma-Mangari route in what was described as an ambush attempt.
However, personnel from the Explosive Ordnance Disposal unit reportedly detected and safely detonated the explosives, allowing troops to continue pursuing the insurgents beyond the Mangari area.
“The unit’s Explosive Ordnance Disposal team responded with precision and successfully detonated all three devices, clearing the route and enabling troops to press the pursuit approximately five kilometres beyond the Mangari general area,” the statement said.
The military added that follow-up search operations were conducted in the surrounding communities and bush areas, but the insurgents had already dispersed after abandoning the victims, vehicles, and their mission.
Authorities also confirmed that no casualties were recorded among military personnel or equipment during the operation.
“OPHK troops sustained zero personnel or equipment casualties throughout the operation,” the statement added.
The rescued civilians were later provided immediate humanitarian and welfare assistance before being escorted safely to Damaturu to continue their journey.
The military said the successful operation reflected the operational capacity, surveillance strength, and combat readiness of Operation HADIN KAI in tackling insurgency activities across the North-East.
It also warned that any future attempts by insurgents to abduct or attack civilians in the region would be met with what it described as “swift and overwhelming force.”
