Troops of Operation HADIN KAI have successfully foiled a mass abduction attempt by Boko Haram and Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) terrorists, rescuing 31 civilians during a swift military operation along the Buratai–Kamuya Road in Biu Local Government Area of Borno State.
The attempted attack occurred at about 3:45 p.m. when insurgents intercepted four civilian vehicles travelling along the strategic highway and began forcing the occupants toward the remote Mangari–Dora axis, apparently with the intention of taking them into captivity.
Military authorities disclosed that the terrorists’ movement was detected in real time through advanced surveillance systems operated by the 135 Special Forces Battalion at Dutsen Kura. Acting on the intelligence, the Battalion immediately deployed a heavily armed Quick Response Force to intercept the fleeing insurgents before they could disappear into the forest.
The troops engaged the terrorists in a fierce gun battle, unleashing overwhelming firepower that forced the insurgents into a chaotic retreat. Unable to withstand the military assault, the terrorists abandoned all 31 kidnapped civilians, the four seized vehicles and several operational motorcycles before fleeing into the surrounding bush.
Following the successful rescue mission, soldiers conducted an extensive sweep of the area to eliminate any remaining threats and prevent the insurgents from regrouping for further attacks.
Military authorities confirmed that all 31 commuters were rescued unharmed, while the four vehicles were recovered intact. The victims were subsequently escorted under armed protection back to Buratai, where they regained possession of their vehicles and safely continued their journeys.
Reacting to the successful operation, the Acting Military Information Officer of Operation HADIN KAI, Captain Mohammed Goni, reaffirmed the resolve of the Armed Forces to sustain aggressive, intelligence-led operations against Boko Haram and ISWAP terrorists. He said the military remains committed to dismantling the remaining terrorist networks and ensuring the security of strategic highways and communities across the North-East.