Troops Rescue 92 Kidnap Victims, Recover Vehicles in Borno Operation
By: Zagazola Makama
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.
Sources told Zagazola Makama that the operation was carried out on 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.
According to the sources, 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.
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The troops reportedly engaged the terrorists in a fierce encounter, forcing them to abandon the kidnapped victims and the vehicles before fleeing deeper into the bush.
Security officials said 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 continued the pursuit for several kilometres into the bush, although no further contact was made as the terrorists reportedly retreated in disarray.
The rescued victims comprised 52 men, 33 women and seven children.
The victims, alongside the recovered eight vehicles, were escorted to Damaturu before being allowed to continue their journey.
Military authorities confirmed that no casualties were recorded among troops during the operation.
The rescue operation forms part of ongoing counterterrorism offensives under Operation Desert Sanity V aimed at dismantling terrorist networks and protecting civilians across the North-East region.