Troops rescue 92 kidnapped civilians in Borno operation

Troops of Operation HADIN KAI have rescued 92 kidnapped victims and recovered eight vehicles following a successful operation against suspected Boko Haram/ISWAP terrorists in Borno State.

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The operation was carried out on Saturday, May 23 by troops of 135 Special Forces Battalion deployed at Echo 1, Dutse Kura, along the Buratai–Kamuya road in Biu Local Government Area.

Lieutenant Colonel Sani Uba, Media Information Officer, Headquarters Joint Task Force (North East) Operation HADIN KAI, disclosed this in a statement on Sunday. 

According to the statement, troops detected suspicious movement through surveillance system, which revealed terrorists moving civilians and vehicles into nearby bush paths.

A Quick Reaction Force was immediately mobilised to the scene, while reinforcements from 27 Task Force Brigade also joined the pursuit of the fleeing terrorists toward the Mangari-Dora general area.

The troops engaged the terrorists in a fierce encounter, forcing them to abandon the kidnapped victims and the vehicles before fleeing deeper into the bush.

Uba disclosed that the terrorists also planted three Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs) along the Bula Zarma–Mangari route in an attempt to ambush advancing troops.

However, the Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) team successfully detected and detonated the explosives without casualties.

“Troops of the Joint Task Force (North East) Operation HADIN KAI (OPHK) have demonstrated their unrelenting commitment to the protection of civilians, executing a swift and decisive rescue operation that freed 92 kidnapped victims from BH/ISWAP terrorists along the Buratai–Kamuya road, Biu Local Government Area, Borno State, on Saturday 23 May 2026,” the statement read.

“At approximately 1122 hours, alert troops of the 135 Special Forces Battalion deployed at Dutse Kura detected BH/ISWAP terrorists forcibly herding civilians and vehicles off the road and into the surrounding bush using their surveillance system. 

“The unit’s Quick Reaction Force was immediately mobilised, while reinforcement troops from 27 Task Force Brigade Garrison were simultaneously activated to join the rescue. 

“Converging on the terrorists in a well-coordinated pursuit towards the Mangari-Dora general area, OPHK troops engaged the insurgents and forced them to abandon their captives and flee in confusion. 

“All 92 kidnapped victims, comprising 52 males, 33 females and 7 children, along with 8 vehicles, were successfully recovered.

“In a desperate bid to delay the advancing troops, the fleeing terrorists covertly emplaced three IEDs along the Bula Zarma, Mangari general area in a calculated ambush attempt. The plot failed completely. 

“The unit’s Explosive Ordnance Disposal team responded with precision and successfully detonated all three devices, clearing the route and enabling troops to press the pursuit approximately five kilometres beyond the Mangari general area. 

“Subsequent search operations were conducted across the area, but the terrorists having abandoned their captives, their vehicles and their tactical objectives had scattered in complete disarray. 

“OPHK troops sustained zero personnel or equipment casualties throughout the operation. 

“The rescued civilians were consolidated, provided immediate welfare support and escorted by troops all the way to Damaturu, where they were released to continue their journey. 

“This operation once again affirms the operational reach, surveillance capability and combat readiness of OPHK and serves as an unambiguous message that any attempt by terrorists to harm, kidnap or intimidate civilians will be met with swift and overwhelming force across the entirety of the North East Theatre.”