Troops rescue 92 civilians, defuse terrorists’ roadside bombs in Borno

THE military high command, on Sunday, said troops of the Joint Task Force (North-East) Operation Hadin Kai (OPHK) have rescued 92 kidnapped civilians and foiled an Improvised Explosive Device (IED) ambush mounted by Boko Haram/ISWAP terrorists, during a swift rescue operation along the Buratai Kamuya road in Biu Local Government Area of Borno State.

This was contained in a statement by the Media Information Officer, Headquarters, Joint Task Force (North-East) Operation Hadin Kai, Lieutenant Colonel Sani Uba.

The statement explained that the operation was successfully executed on Saturday, following the detection of terrorists forcibly herding civilians and vehicles off the road into surrounding bushes.

It pointed out that at approximately 11:22am, vigilant troops of the 135 Special Forces Battalion deployed in Dutse Kura, identified the movement of the terrorists through surveillance systems and immediately activated a Quick Reaction Force.

Reinforcement troops from the 27 Task Force Brigade Garrison were also mobilised to support the rescue effort.

It added that the troops reportedly pursued the terrorists towards the Mangari-Dora general area, engaging them in fierce operation that forced them to abandon their captives and flee in disarray.

The statement said all the 92 kidnapped victims, comprising 52 males, 33 females and seven children, were rescued alongside eight vehicles recovered during the operation.

It pointed that the fleeing terrorists attempted to slow down the advancing troops by planting three Improvised Explosive Devices along the Bula Zarma Mangari axis in what was described as a calculated ambush attempt.

However, the Explosive Ordnance Disposal team of OPHK promptly responded and safely detonated all three devices, clearing the route and enabling troops to continue the pursuit for about five kilometres beyond the Mangari area.

The statement pointed out that the subsequent search operations conducted across the area confirmed that the terrorists abandoned their captives, vehicles and operational objectives before fleeing in confusion.

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It added that OPHK troops recorded no personnel or equipment casualties throughout the operation, while the rescued civilians were immediately consolidated, provided with welfare support and escorted safely to Damaturu, where they were released to continue their journey.

The military noted that the successful operation further demonstrated the operational reach, surveillance capability and combat readiness of Operation Hadin Kai, and reaffirmed its commitment to protecting civilians and denying terrorists freedom of action across the North-East Theatre.