Troops Foil Boko Haram/ISWAP Abduction, Rescue 31 Captives, Recover Four Vehicles in Borno

Troops of Operation HADIN KAI have foiled an attempted mass abduction by suspected Boko Haram/ISWAP terrorists, rescuing 31 civilians and recovering four vehicles during a swift military operation in Borno State.

The rescue operation took place at about 3:45 p.m. on Friday along the Buratai–Kamuya Road in Biu Local Government Area after troops of the 135 Special Forces Battalion, Dutsen Kura, detected insurgent activities through real-time surveillance.

According to the Acting Military Information Officer of Headquarters Joint Task Force (North East), Operation HADIN KAI, Captain Mohammed Goni, the terrorists had intercepted four civilian vehicles and forcibly taken their occupants before the military responded.

He said the battalion immediately deployed a Quick Response Force, which tracked the fleeing terrorists towards the Mangari–Dora axis.

“Troops made contact with the insurgents and engaged them with effective fire, forcing the terrorists to abandon the abducted civilians and the four vehicles before fleeing into the surrounding bush,” the statement said.

During the operation, soldiers also recovered motorcycles abandoned by the fleeing terrorists.

All 31 abducted civilians were rescued unharmed, while the four vehicles were recovered intact.

The troops subsequently dominated the area and carried out exploitation operations to prevent the terrorists from regrouping. No further contact was recorded.

The rescued victims and recovered vehicles were later escorted to Buratai, where the civilians reclaimed their vehicles and continued their journeys safely.

Operation HADIN KAI described the operation as another demonstration of the effectiveness of intelligence-driven military operations in safeguarding civilians and frustrating terrorist activities across the North-East.

The Joint Task Force reaffirmed its commitment to sustaining offensive operations aimed at eliminating the remaining terrorist elements while ensuring the security of communities and major highways in the region.