Operation Hadin Kai Troops Thwarts Mass Abduction, Rescue Over 150 Civilians in North East 

Troops of the Joint Task Force (North East) under Operation HADIN KAI (OPHK) have successfully foiled a planned mass abduction by Boko Haram/ISWAP terrorists, rescuing over 150 civilians ahead of the Easter period.

According to Lieutenant Colonel Sani Uba, the incident occurred at around 14:50 hours on 30 March 2026, when soldiers deployed at Dutse Kura were escorting civilians along the Buratai–Kamuya axis.

During the operation, the troops came under attack, and surveillance assets identified insurgents attempting to abduct a large number of civilians including men, women, and children into approximately 17 vehicles.

In response, the Quick Reaction Force quickly reinforced the location, repelled the attack, and pursued the terrorists toward the Mangari area. The aggressive pressure from OPHK troops forced the insurgents to abandon all abducted civilians and vehicles, effectively halting the mass kidnapping attempt.

All rescued civilians were safely moved to Buratai before being reunited with their families.

During the pursuit, troops encountered an improvised explosive device along the Bula Zarma–Mangari axis, which resulted in five personnel sustaining serious injuries. They were immediately evacuated for specialist medical care.

Lieutenant Colonel Uba praised the gallantry of the troops, saying the operation underscores OPHK’s commitment to denying terrorists freedom of action and protecting vulnerable populations across the North East.

The successful rescue operation highlights the high level of vigilance, rapid response capability, and effective presence posture of OPHK forces in the region. It also reassures the public of the military’s dedication to stabilization efforts, civilian protection, and sustained offensive pressure on terrorist elements, particularly as the Easter period approaches.

This latest action adds to a series of operations by OPHK aimed at safeguarding civilians and countering terrorist activities across the North East of Nigeria.