By Chuks Oyema-Aziken
Troops of the Joint Task Force (North East), Operation HADIN KAI (OPHK), have rescued 92 abducted civilians and foiled an attempted Improvised Explosive Device (IED) ambush by Boko Haram/Islamic State West Africa Province (BH/ISWAP) terrorists during a rescue operation in Borno State.
The Media Information Officer of Operation HADIN KAI, Lieutenant Colonel Sani Uba, disclosed this in a statement on Sunday, saying the operation took place along the Buratai–Kamuya road in Biu Local Government Area following intelligence gathered through military surveillance systems.
Uba said troops of the 135 Special Forces Battalion deployed at Dutse Kura detected terrorists forcing civilians and motorists off the highway and into nearby bushes at about 11:22 a.m.
He explained that upon the discovery, the battalion immediately activated its Quick Reaction Force, while reinforcement troops from the 27 Task Force Brigade Garrison were deployed to support the rescue effort.
According to him, troops launched a coordinated pursuit towards the Mangari-Dora axis, engaged the terrorists in a swift operation and compelled them to abandon their captives and flee.
The military spokesman said the operation led to the successful rescue of 92 kidnapped persons, including 52 men, 33 women and seven children, while eight vehicles were also recovered.
“In their desperate attempt to delay the advancing troops, the terrorists covertly planted three IEDs along the Bula Zarma–Mangari route as part of a calculated ambush,” Uba said.
He, however, noted that the terrorists’ plot was thwarted after the Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) team swiftly identified and detonated all three devices, clearing the route for troops to continue the pursuit.
Uba added that troops pursued the fleeing insurgents for about five kilometres beyond the Mangari area and conducted follow-up search operations, but the terrorists had dispersed after abandoning their captives and operational objectives.
He said the operation recorded no casualties among military personnel, while no equipment was lost or damaged.
The rescued civilians were subsequently provided immediate welfare assistance and escorted by troops to Damaturu, where they safely continued their journey.
Operation HADIN KAI said the successful mission underscored the troops’ surveillance capability, operational readiness and commitment to protecting civilians, warning that terrorists operating in the North-East would continue to face decisive military action.
