Troops of the Joint Task Force (North East) Operation HADIN KAI have rescued 92 civilians abducted by Boko Haram/Islamic State West Africa Province terrorists along the Buratai–Kamuya road in Biu Local Government Area of Borno State.
This was disclosed in a statement issued on Sunday by the Media Information Officer, Headquarters Joint Task Force (North East) Operation HADIN KAI, Lieutenant Colonel Sani Uba.
The operation, carried out on Saturday, led to the recovery of eight vehicles and the detonation of three improvised explosive devices planted by the fleeing insurgents.
The military said troops of the 135 Special Forces Battalion deployed at Dutse Kura detected the terrorists at about 11:22 am while they were forcing civilians and vehicles off the road into nearby bush paths.
Following the discovery, the battalion deployed its Quick Reaction Force, while reinforcement troops from the 27 Task Force Brigade Garrison were mobilised to support the operation.
Troops subsequently chased after the terrorists towards the Mangari-Dora area, engaged them in a gun battle and forced them to abandon the captives and flee.
“All 92 kidnapped victims, comprising 52 males, 33 females and 7 children, along with 8 vehicles, were successfully recovered,” the statement read.
It added that the insurgents attempted to slow the advancing troops by planting three IEDs along the Bula Zarma-Mangari axis in what it described as an ambush attempt.
However, the explosives were detected and detonated by the Explosive Ordnance Disposal team, allowing the troops to continue the chase for about five kilometres beyond the Mangari area.
The military added that follow-up operations were carried out across the area, but the terrorists had already dispersed after abandoning the victims, vehicles and their vehicles.
The rescued civilians were given immediate welfare support and escorted to Damaturu, where they were allowed to continue the rest of their journey.
Operation HADIN KAI said the operation demonstrated the operational readiness and surveillance capability of the army, warning that attempts by insurgents to abduct or attack civilians in the North-East would be met with decisive action.
