Troops Foil ISWAP Roadblock in Borno, Rescue 53 Hostages, Recover Eight Vehicles

Troops of Operation HADIN KAI have dismantled an ISWAP roadblock along the Buratai–Kamuya highway in Biu Local Government Area of Borno State, rescuing 53 civilians held by the insurgents and recovering eight vehicles seized during the attack.

The successful operation, carried out on Wednesday by troops of the 135 Special Forces Battalion under Sector 2 of Operation HADIN KAI, dealt another blow to the activities of terrorists operating in the North-East.

According to a statement by the Acting Military Information Officer, Captain Mohammed Goni, troops stationed at Dutse Kura detected the terrorists mounting the illegal roadblock through surveillance cameras.

The statement said a Quick Reaction Force (QRF) was immediately deployed to the scene, where the troops pursued the fleeing insurgents toward the Mangari–Dora axis and engaged them in a fierce gun battle.

“The terrorists were overwhelmed by the superior firepower of the troops and withdrew in disarray,” the statement said.

Following the encounter, troops rescued 53 civilians who had been trapped by the insurgents and recovered eight vehicles earlier seized by the terrorists.

The military added that troops extended the operation by clearing the insurgents’ withdrawal route and conducting follow-up searches to ensure the area was secure, although no further contact with the fleeing terrorists was established.

All rescued civilians, recovered vehicles and other properties were safely evacuated to Buratai town, where the victims are currently undergoing documentation and medical screening.

The Theatre Command of Operation HADIN KAI commended the troops for their swift response and professionalism, describing the operation as another demonstration of the military’s sustained offensive against terrorist groups in the North-East.

The command also urged residents within the Joint Operations Area to remain vigilant and continue providing timely intelligence on suspicious movements to support ongoing counter-insurgency operations.

It added that security remains stable in the area, with troops maintaining an aggressive operational posture to deny terrorists freedom of movement.