Troops of the Joint Task Force (North East), Operation HADIN KAI (OPHK), have rescued 92 civilians abducted by suspected Boko Haram/ISWAP terrorists along the Buratai–Kamuya road in Biu Local Government Area of Borno State after a fierce military operation that also foiled a deadly IED ambush planted by fleeing insurgents.
The daring rescue operation was launched on Saturday after intelligence gathered through military surveillance systems revealed terrorists forcefully herding civilians and vehicles off the highway into nearby bushes.
According to the Media Information Officer of Operation HADIN KAI, Lieutenant Colonel Sani Uba, troops of the 135 Special Forces Battalion stationed at Dutse Kura detected the terrorist movement at about 11:22am and immediately activated a Quick Reaction Force.
Reinforcement troops from the 27 Task Force Brigade Garrison swiftly joined the operation as soldiers advanced on the insurgents in a coordinated assault towards the Mangari-Dora axis.
“The troops swiftly converged on the terrorists in a coordinated pursuit, engaging them aggressively and forcing them to abandon their captives and flee in disarray,” the military stated.
All 92 kidnapped civilians were rescued alive, including 52 men, 33 women and seven children. Troops also recovered eight vehicles seized by the terrorists during the attack.
In a desperate attempt to halt advancing soldiers, the fleeing insurgents planted three Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs) along the Bula Zarma and Mangari corridor.
However, military Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) experts detected and successfully detonated all three explosives before they could cause casualties.
“The plot failed completely as the EOD team responded with precision, clearing the route for troops to continue pursuit of the terrorists,” the statement added.
Troops reportedly chased the insurgents for more than five kilometres beyond Mangari, while extensive search operations continued across surrounding communities.
The military confirmed that no soldier was killed or injured during the operation and no equipment was lost.
Rescued civilians were immediately provided welfare assistance before being safely escorted to Damaturu to continue their journey.
Operation HADIN KAI described the mission as another major blow against terrorism in the North-East, warning that terrorists targeting innocent civilians would continue to face “swift and overwhelming force” from Nigerian troops.