Troops Rescue 92 Kidnap Victims, Foil Terrorists’ Bomb Trap in Borno
Troops of the Joint Task Force North-East, Operation HADIN KAI, have rescued 92 kidnapped civilians and foiled a suspected terrorists’ bomb trap during a swift rescue operation along the Buratai–Kamuya Road in Biu Local Government Area of Borno State.
The military said the victims were freed on Saturday after troops intercepted Boko Haram/ISWAP terrorists who had abducted civilians and diverted vehicles into nearby bushes in the Buratai axis.
According to a statement issued on Saturday by the Media Information Officer of Operation HADIN KAI, Lieutenant Colonel Sani Uba, the rescue followed the detection of suspicious terrorist movement by troops of the 135 Special Forces Battalion stationed at Dutse Kura.
He said surveillance systems spotted the terrorists herding civilians and vehicles off the road at about 11:22 a.m., prompting the immediate deployment of a Quick Reaction Force, while reinforcement troops from the 27 Task Force Brigade Garrison joined the operation.
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“Troops swiftly converged on the terrorists in a coordinated pursuit towards the Mangari-Dora general area, engaged them and forced them to abandon their captives and flee in confusion,” the statement said.
The military disclosed that all 92 victims — comprising 52 men, 33 women and seven children — were rescued unharmed, while eight vehicles seized by the terrorists were also recovered.
It added that fleeing insurgents attempted to delay pursuing troops by planting three Improvised Explosive Devices in the Bula Zarma–Mangari axis as part of an ambush plan.
However, the military said the plot was thwarted after an Explosive Ordnance Disposal team successfully detected and detonated the explosives, clearing the route for continued pursuit of the terrorists.
“The terrorists had scattered in complete disarray after abandoning their captives, vehicles and tactical objectives,” the military stated, noting that troops sustained no casualty during the operation.
The rescued civilians were reportedly provided immediate welfare support and escorted safely to Damaturu to continue their journey.
Operation HADIN KAI said the operation underscored the military’s surveillance capability, operational readiness and resolve to prevent terrorists from harming or intimidating civilians across the North-East.
By PRNigeria
