Troops of Operation HADIN KAI have rescued 53 civilians and recovered eight vehicles after foiling an attempted terrorist attack along the Buratai–Kamuya Road in Biu Local Government Area of Borno State.
The successful operation was carried out on Wednesday by troops of the 135 Special Forces Battalion under Sector II of Operation HADIN KAI as part of ongoing offensive operations against Boko Haram and ISWAP terrorists in the North-East.
In a statement issued on Friday in Maiduguri, the Acting Military Information Officer of the Joint Task Force, North East Operation HADIN KAI, Captain Mohammed Goni, said the troops detected terrorists mounting an illegal roadblock through surveillance cameras deployed at Dutse Kura.
Following the intelligence, a Quick Reaction Force (QRF) was immediately dispatched to the location, forcing the insurgents to abandon their operation.
The terrorists fled toward the Mangari–Dora general area, where they were engaged by the troops in a fierce firefight. Overpowered by the military’s superior firepower, the insurgents retreated in disarray.
Captain Goni disclosed that the operation led to the rescue of 53 civilians who had been held by the terrorists, while eight vehicles previously seized by the insurgents were also recovered.
He added that troops continued the pursuit by clearing the terrorists’ withdrawal route, dominating the area and conducting extensive searches to ensure there were no remaining threats, although no further contact with the fleeing insurgents was established.
The rescued civilians, recovered vehicles and other belongings were safely evacuated to Buratai, where the victims are currently undergoing documentation and medical evaluation.
The military spokesman commended the swift and coordinated response of the troops, describing the operation as another significant success in the ongoing campaign to eliminate terrorism in the North-East.
He also urged residents across the Joint Operations Area to remain vigilant and continue providing timely and credible information on suspicious movements and activities to security agencies.
According to him, the security situation in the area remains calm, with troops maintaining aggressive offensive operations and sustained dominance across the theatre to deny terrorists freedom of movement.