Troops of the north east joint task force, Operation Hadin Kai (OPHK), on Monday, March 30, rescued over 150 travellers from a mass abduction plot by Boko Haram/Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) terrorists in Borno state.
The incident occurred at approximately 2:50 p.m., when troops under sector two, deployed at Dutse Kura, came under attack while escorting a convoy of civilians along the Buratai-Kamuya axis.
As soldiers engaged the attackers, military surveillance assets detected terrorists attempting to forcibly transport a large number of civilians, including men, women, and children, into the bush using about 17 vehicles.
A Quick Response Force (QRF) was immediately deployed to reinforce the unit, and their swift tactical maneuver forced the terrorists to retreat toward Mangari area, abandoning all abducted victims and the vehicles in their haste to escape.
All rescued civilians, estimated at over 150, were recovered unharmed and moved to Buratai for further arrangements to reunite them with their families.
However, during the pursuit along Bula Zarma-Mangari axis, troops encountered an improvised explosive device, leaving five soldiers seriously injured.
The wounded personnel were immediately evacuated for specialist medical treatment.
The OPHK command commended the gallantry of the troops involved, describing the operation as a demonstration of the force’s vigilance, rapid response capability, and sustained operational presence across the north east.
The command also noted the significance of the rescue coming ahead of the Easter period, reaffirming the Nigerian army‘s commitment to protecting civilians and maintaining offensive pressure on terrorist elements across the theatre.
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