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Troops of the Joint Task Force (North East), Operation HADIN KAI (OPHK), have successfully rescued 92 civilians kidnapped by suspected Boko Haram/ISWAP terrorists along the Buratai–Kamuya road in Biu Local Government Area, Borno State.
The military said the operation, conducted on Saturday, was guided by intelligence from surveillance systems deployed by troops in the area.
According to Lieutenant Colonel Sani Uba, Media Information Officer of the Headquarters JTF (North East), the 135 Special Forces Battalion at Dutse Kura detected terrorists herding civilians and vehicles off the highway into nearby bushes at about 11:22 a.m.
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 troops swiftly converged on the terrorists in a coordinated pursuit towards the Mangari-Dora area, engaging them and forcing the insurgents to abandon their captives and flee in disarray,” the statement said.
All 92 rescued civilians—52 men, 33 women, and seven children—were recovered alive, along with eight vehicles allegedly seized by the terrorists.
The fleeing insurgents attempted to slow down the troops by planting three Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs) along the Bula Zarma and Mangari axis. However, the Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) team safely detonated the devices, allowing operations to continue.
Troops pursued the insurgents for about five kilometres beyond Mangari, conducting further searches in surrounding areas. The terrorists eventually abandoned their captives, vehicles, and operational plans before fleeing into the bush.
No soldiers were killed or injured, and no equipment was lost during the operation. The rescued civilians were given immediate welfare assistance and escorted safely to Damaturu to continue their journey.
The military described the operation as a testament to OPHK’s surveillance capability, operational reach, and combat readiness in the North-East, sending a clear warning that any attempt to harm or abduct civilians will be met with swift and overwhelming force.
“This operation reaffirms the operational reach and combat readiness of OPHK and serves as an unambiguous message that terrorists targeting civilians will face decisive action across the North-East,” the statement concluded.
