Troops of Operation HADIN KAI have rescued 92 kidnapped civilians after foiling an attempted ambush by suspected Boko Haram/ISWAP terrorists along the Buratai–Kamuya road in Borno State.
The successful rescue operation, carried out on Saturday, May 23, 2026, followed swift intervention by troops of the Joint Task Force (North East) after terrorists were detected herding civilians and vehicles into the bush in Biu Local Government Area.
The Media Information Officer, Joint Task Force (North East) Operation HADIN KAI, Lt. Col. Sani Uba, in a statement issued on Saturday disclosed that alert troops of the 135 Special Forces Battalion deployed at Dutse Kura intercepted the terrorists’ activities through surveillance systems at about 11:22 a.m.
“Troops of the Joint Task Force (North East) Operation HADIN KAI have demonstrated their unrelenting commitment to the protection of civilians, executing a swift and decisive rescue operation that freed 92 kidnapped victims from BH/ISWAP terrorists along the Buratai–Kamuya road, Biu Local Government Area, Borno State,” Uba stated.
“At approximately 1122 hours, alert troops of the 135 Special Forces Battalion deployed at Dutse Kura detected BH/ISWAP terrorists forcibly herding civilians and vehicles off the road and into the surrounding bush using their surveillance system,” he added.
According to him, troops immediately activated a Quick Reaction Force while reinforcement personnel from the 27 Task Force Brigade Garrison were mobilised to support the rescue mission.
“The unit’s Quick Reaction Force was immediately mobilised, while reinforcement troops from 27 Task Force Brigade Garrison were simultaneously activated to join the rescue,” Uba said.
He explained that the troops launched a coordinated pursuit towards the Mangari-Dora general area, forcing the insurgents to abandon their captives and flee.
“Converging on the terrorists in a well-coordinated pursuit towards the Mangari-Dora general area, OPHK troops engaged the insurgents and forced them to abandon their captives and flee in confusion,” he stated.
Uba disclosed that all 92 victims were rescued unharmed alongside eight vehicles abandoned by the terrorists.
“All 92 kidnapped victims, comprising 52 males, 33 females and seven children, along with eight vehicles, were successfully recovered,” he said.
The military spokesman further revealed that the fleeing terrorists attempted to slow down advancing troops by planting improvised explosive devices along the route.
“In a desperate bid to delay the advancing troops, the fleeing terrorists covertly emplaced three IEDs along the Bula Zarma, Mangari general area in a calculated ambush attempt,” Uba disclosed.
“The plot failed completely. The unit’s Explosive Ordnance Disposal team responded with precision and successfully detonated all three devices, clearing the route and enabling troops to press the pursuit approximately five kilometres beyond the Mangari general area,” he added.
According to him, follow-up search operations were conducted across the area, but the terrorists had already dispersed after abandoning their captives and operational objectives.
“Subsequent search operations were conducted across the area, but the terrorists having abandoned their captives, their vehicles and their tactical objectives had scattered in complete disarray,” Uba said.
He noted that the operation was executed without any casualty on the side of the military.
“OPHK troops sustained zero personnel or equipment casualties throughout the operation,” he stated.
Uba also disclosed that the rescued civilians were immediately profiled, provided welfare support and safely escorted to their destination.
“The rescued civilians were consolidated, provided immediate welfare support and escorted by troops all the way to Damaturu, where they were released to continue their journey,” he said.
The military spokesman said the operation underscored the operational strength and readiness of troops in the North East theatre.
“This operation once again affirms the operational reach, surveillance capability and combat readiness of OPHK and serves as an unambiguous message that any attempt by terrorists to harm, kidnap or intimidate civilians will be met with swift and overwhelming force across the entirety of the North East Theatre,” Uba stated.
Troops Rescue 92 Kidnap Victims, Foil Terrorists’ Ambush in Borno
