Nigerian troops in Borno State have successfully rescued 86 civilians kidnapped by terrorists and disrupted insurgent supply lines in a significant operational success. The coordinated operations, which also led to the arrest of 29 suspected logistics suppliers, represent a substantial blow to terrorist activities in the region.
The military action began when troops of the 135 Special Forces Battalion, operating under Sector 2 of Operation Hadin Kai, encountered Boko Haram and ISWAP terrorists at Dutse Kura on 9 November. The soldiers discovered that terrorists were actively abducting civilians and seizing vehicles along the Buratai-Kamuya Road. In the ensuing engagement, the troops successfully thwarted the attack and pursued the insurgents toward Mangari, where they overpowered them near a terrorist camp, forcing the fighters to flee in disarray.
According to a statement released by Media Information Officer Sani Uba for the Joint Task Force North East Operation Hadin Kai, the subsequent clearance operation yielded significant results. “A search of the area led to the discovery of 11 makeshift terrorists’ structures and the rescue of 86 kidnapped victims comprising men, women, and children,” the statement confirmed. The military also recovered substantial weaponry and equipment, including “one AK-47 rifle, five magazines with 73 rounds, four PKT ammunition belts, five civilian vehicles, five motorcycles, eight bicycles, and two logistics tricycles.” The terrorists’ camp was subsequently destroyed.
In a related operation demonstrating the military’s comprehensive approach, troops deployed at Mangada intercepted and arrested what the statement described as “29 terrorist logistics suppliers enroute Chilaria with several items.” The seized supplies included “two pickup vans and a tricycle loaded with Premium Motor Spirit, about 1,000 litres of petrol in jerricans, four gallons of engine oil, two new gun truck tyres, huge cache of medical consumables, and large quantities of foodstuffs and provisions.”
The military high command praised the operational success, noting that “all operations were conducted successfully with no casualty on the part of own troops.” The command commended “the gallantry and professionalism of the troops while charging Operation Hadin Kai to sustain operations to deny terrorists freedom of action across the North East theatre.”
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