Troops Rescue 53 Hostages, Foil Terror Attack in Borno

Troops of Operation HADIN KAI have rescued 53 civilians and recovered eight vehicles after dismantling a roadblock mounted by suspected Boko Haram/ISWAP terrorists on the Buratai–Kamuya road in Biu Local Government Area of Borno State.

The operation was carried out on Wednesday by troops of the 135 Special Forces Battalion under Sector II as part of ongoing military offensives against insurgents in Nigeria's Northeast, the military said on Friday.

Acting Military Information Officer for the Joint Task Force, Operation HADIN KAI, Capt. Mohammed Goni, said troops detected the suspected terrorists through surveillance cameras as they erected the illegal roadblock near Dutse Kura.

The surveillance prompted the immediate deployment of a Quick Reaction Force, which pursued the insurgents toward the Mangari–Dora area of Borno, where troops engaged them in a firefight.

"The troops pursued the insurgents toward the Mangari–Dora general area of Borno, where they engaged them in a firefight, forcing the terrorists to flee in disarray," Goni said.

He added that the operation led to the rescue of dozens of civilians and the recovery of vehicles seized by the terrorists.

"During the operation, 53 innocent civilians were rescued, and eight vehicles earlier seized by the terrorists were recovered," he said.

"The troops also advanced to clear the insurgents' withdrawal route, dominated the area and conducted further searches, although no additional contact was made."

According to Goni, the rescued civilians, recovered vehicles and other property were evacuated safely to Buratai, where the victims are undergoing documentation and medical evaluation.

He commended the troops for their swift response, describing the mission as another successful operation in the military's campaign against insurgents in the Northeast.

Goni also urged residents within the Joint Operations Area to remain vigilant and continue providing timely information on suspicious movements and activities to security agencies.

He said the security situation in the area remained calm, adding that troops would sustain aggressive operations to deny terrorists freedom of movement across the theater.