By Imisioluwa Afunmiso
Troops of the Joint Task Force (North East), Operation HADIN KAI (OPHK), have rescued 92 civilians abducted by suspected Boko Haram/Islamic State West Africa Province (BH/ISWAP) terrorists along the Buratai–Kamuya road in the Biu Local Government Area of Borno State.
The military operation, carried out on Saturday, followed intelligence gathered by troops of the 135 Special Forces Battalion stationed at Dutse Kura, who reportedly detected insurgents forcing civilians and vehicles off the highway and into nearby bushes.
According to a statement issued on Saturday by the Media Information Officer, Lieutenant Colonel Sani Uba, Headquarters Joint Task Force (North East) Operation HADIN KAI, troops swiftly mobilized a Quick Reaction Force while reinforcements from the 27 Task Force Brigade Garrison were deployed to support the rescue mission.
He said the troops pursued the terrorists toward the Mangari-Dora axis, where they engaged the insurgents in a gun duel, forcing them to abandon their captives and flee.
The military disclosed that all 92 victims were successfully rescued during the operation. The rescued civilians comprised 52 men, 33 women, and 7 children. Eight vehicles abandoned during the incident were also recovered.
“In a desperate attempt to slow down advancing troops, the fleeing terrorists planted three Improvised Explosive Devices along the Bula Zarma-Mangari route in what appeared to be a planned ambush,” the statement noted.
However, the military said the terrorists’ attempt failed as the Explosive Ordnance Disposal team promptly detected and detonated all three explosives without casualties.
Troops reportedly continued pursuit operations for about 5 kilometers beyond the Mangari area, while further search operations were conducted to track down the fleeing insurgents.
The statement added that no personnel or equipment casualties were recorded during the operation.
The rescued civilians were thereafter provided immediate welfare assistance and escorted safely to Damaturu, where they were reunited to continue their journey.
The military described the operation as another demonstration of the operational capability, surveillance strength, and combat readiness of Operation HADIN KAI in combating terrorism across the North-East region, further warning that any attempt by terrorists to attack, abduct, or intimidate civilians will continue to attract a swift military response.