The Nigerian Army has rescued 74 members of the National Youth Service Corps who became stranded near a known terrorist crossing point in Borno State. The corps members were left vulnerable after their vehicles broke down in a forested area along the Buratai–Kamuya road on Tuesday evening.
The incident occurred at about 9:05 pm, when the vigilant troops of the Joint Task Force North East Operation HADIN KAI detected unusual movement involving three buses through a Closed-Circuit Television (CCTV) system. The troops immediately activated a heavy patrol team to the location.
Upon arrival, the soldiers discovered 74 stranded corps members, comprising 36 males and 38 females, whose vehicles had developed mechanical faults. The troops promptly secured the area and successfully rescued all the corps members, thereby averting a potential abduction attempt by terrorists operating within the axis.
Preliminary findings revealed a critical security lapse. The corps members had been earlier escorted from Maiduguri to Damaturu by troops of 7 Division Garrison. However, after arriving in Damaturu, they reportedly continued their journey to Hawul Local Government Area without notifying Sector 2 Headquarters or obtaining an armed escort from the security agencies.
The swift action by the military prevented what could have been a major security incident. The rescued corps members have been safely evacuated and are currently being accommodated at the Buratai Military Base pending further arrangements for their safe movement to their destinations.
In a statement confirming the rescue, the Nigerian Army reiterated its commitment to safeguarding citizens. “The Nigerian Army remain committed to safeguarding the lives and property of all citizens and will continue to maintain a strong security presence across operational theatres to deny terrorists freedom of action and ensure lasting peace in the North East.”
The army also appealed for continued public cooperation with security forces, stating, “Members of the public are please urged to continue collaborating and cooperating with troops who are relentlessly engaged in safeguarding them.”
The rescue highlights both the persistent security challenges in the region and the importance of adhering to safety protocols when travelling through high-risk areas. It also demonstrates the military’s improved surveillance capabilities and rapid response coordination in protecting vulnerable citizens from potential harm.
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