May 24 (THEWILL) — Troops of the Joint Task Force (North East), Operation HADIN KAI (OPHK), have rescued 92 abducted civilians and neutralised a planned improvised explosive device (IED) ambush allegedly staged by Boko Haram/Islamic State West Africa Province (BH/ISWAP) terrorists along the Buratai–Kamuya road in Biu Local Government Area of Borno State.
The operation, carried out on Saturday, followed a swift military response after insurgents were reportedly spotted herding civilians and vehicles into nearby bushes during a mass abduction operation.
According to a statement issued by the Media Information Officer of OPHK, Lieutenant Colonel Sani Uba, troops of the 135 Special Forces Battalion stationed at Dutse Kura detected suspicious terrorist movement at about 11:22am through the unit’s surveillance systems.
The military said the terrorists had intercepted travellers along the route and were forcefully moving them away from the road when the troops launched a coordinated rescue mission.
“The unit’s Quick Reaction Force was immediately mobilised, while reinforcement troops from the 27 Task Force Brigade Garrison were simultaneously activated to join the rescue operation,” the statement said.
The troops reportedly pursued the terrorists towards the Mangari-Dora general area, where they engaged the insurgents in a fierce operation that forced them to abandon their captives and flee.
All 92 victims were rescued during the operation. The military said the rescued persons comprised 52 men, 33 women, and seven children. Eight vehicles abandoned during the attack were also recovered.
In a bid to stall the advancing troops, the fleeing terrorists allegedly planted three IEDs along the Bula Zarma–Mangari axis as part of an ambush strategy.
However, the military disclosed that the explosives were successfully detected and detonated by the Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) team before they could cause damage.
“The plot failed. The unit’s Explosive Ordnance Disposal team responded with precision and successfully detonated all three devices, clearing the route and enabling troops to continue the pursuit,” the statement added.
Troops reportedly pursued the insurgents for about five kilometres beyond the Mangari area, while subsequent search operations were conducted across the surrounding communities.
According to the military, the terrorists had already scattered in disarray after abandoning the captives, vehicles, and their operational objectives.
Operation HADIN KAI further confirmed that no personnel or equipment casualties were recorded during the rescue mission.
The rescued civilians were later consolidated, provided immediate welfare assistance, and escorted safely to Damaturu, where they were released to continue their journey.
The military said the successful operation demonstrated the operational effectiveness, surveillance capability, and combat readiness of troops operating in the North-East theatre.
It also reiterated its commitment to protecting civilians and sustaining pressure on terrorist groups operating across the region.
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