Army Rescues 74 Stranded Corps Members from Boko Haram in Borno
Troops of the Joint Task Force (JTF), North East Operation Hadin Kai, have averted what could have been another tragic abduction after rescuing 74 members of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) who were stranded along the Buratai–Kamuya road in Borno State on Tuesday night.
The corps members 36 males and 38 females were traveling in three buses when the vehicles reportedly broke down around 9:05 p.m. near a notorious kidnapping hotspot, leaving them vulnerable to attack by Boko Haram or Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) terrorists.
According to military sources, the quick intervention of troops came after a closed-circuit television (CCTV) system monitored by the JTF detected unusual movement involving the stranded buses. Acting swiftly, a patrol team was deployed to the location to assess the situation.
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“On arrival, troops discovered 74 NYSC members stranded after their vehicles developed mechanical faults. The troops immediately rescued them to prevent a likely abduction attempt by Boko Haram or ISWAP elements operating in the area,” a military statement said.
The rescued corps members were subsequently escorted to the Buratai military base, where they are currently being accommodated pending further arrangements for their safe movement.
This latest rescue comes amid heightened concerns over the safety of NYSC members posted to conflict-prone regions, especially in Borno, Yobe, and Adamawa states — where Boko Haram and ISWAP remnants still operate despite years of military onslaught.
The Media Information Officer of Operation Hadin Kai, Lt. Col. Sani Uba, in a statement issued on Thursday, assured the public that troops remain on high alert to protect civilians and maintain security along major routes in the region.
“The Nigerian Army remains committed to safeguarding lives and ensuring that law-abiding citizens, including corps members serving their nation, can move safely across all parts of the North East,” the statement added.
