Army Rescues 92 Kidnap Victims In Borno, Destroys IEDs

Troops of the Joint Task Force (North East) Operation HADIN KAI have rescued 92 civilians abducted by Boko Haram/ISWAP terrorists along the Buratai–Kamuya road in Biu Local Government Area of Borno State.

According to a statement issued on Sunday by the Media Information Officer of Operation HADIN KAI, Lieutenant Colonel Sani Uba, the rescue mission was carried out on Saturday after troops of the 135 Special Forces Battalion stationed at Dutse Kura detected insurgents forcing travellers and vehicles off the highway into nearby bush paths.

The military said the troops quickly deployed a Quick Reaction Force, while reinforcement personnel from the 27 Task Force Brigade Garrison joined the operation to pursue the fleeing terrorists toward the Mangari-Dora area.

During the operation, the insurgents reportedly abandoned the captives and fled after troops engaged them in a gun battle.

The military confirmed that all 92 victims, including 52 men, 33 women and seven children, were rescued alongside eight recovered vehicles.

Troops also neutralised three improvised explosive devices planted by the insurgents along the Bula Zarma-Mangari axis in an attempt to slow military advancement.

“The unit’s Explosive Ordnance Disposal team responded with precision and successfully detonated all three devices,” the statement noted.

The operation continued for about five kilometres beyond Mangari as troops carried out follow-up search missions, although the insurgents had dispersed into surrounding areas.

The military added that no personnel or equipment casualties were recorded throughout the operation.

The rescued civilians were later provided welfare support and escorted safely to Damaturu to continue their journey.

Operation HADIN KAI said the successful rescue demonstrated the military’s operational capability and warned insurgents against further attacks or abductions in the North-East.