By Our Reporter 

Troops of the Joint Task Force (North East), Operation HADIN KAI, have rescued 92 civilians abducted by suspected Boko Haram/ISWAP terrorists along the Buratai–Kamuya road in Biu Local Government Area of Borno State.

The military operation also led to the recovery of eight vehicles and the successful detonation of three improvised explosive devices planted by the fleeing insurgents.

This was disclosed in a statement issued on Sunday by the Media Information Officer of Headquarters Joint Task Force (North East) Operation HADIN KAI, Sani Uba.

According to the statement, troops of the 135 Special Forces Battalion deployed at Dutse Kura detected the insurgents at about 11:22 a.m. on Saturday while they were forcing civilians and vehicles off the highway into nearby bush paths.

Following the discovery, the battalion immediately deployed its Quick Reaction Force, while reinforcement troops from the 27 Task Force Brigade Garrison were mobilised to support the operation.

The troops reportedly pursued the insurgents towards the Mangari-Dora axis, engaged them in a gun battle and forced them to abandon the captives and flee.

“All 92 kidnapped victims, comprising 52 males, 33 females and seven children, along with eight vehicles, were successfully recovered,” the military stated.

The military further disclosed that the fleeing insurgents attempted to delay the advancing troops by planting three improvised explosive devices along the Bula Zarma-Mangari route.

However, the explosives were detected and safely detonated by the Explosive Ordnance Disposal team attached to the operation.

“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,” the statement added.

The military said follow-up search operations were later conducted across the area, but the insurgents had dispersed after abandoning the victims, vehicles and their mission.

It added that no casualty was recorded among troops or equipment during the operation.

“Operation HADIN KAI troops sustained zero personnel or equipment casualties throughout the operation,” the statement said.

The rescued civilians were subsequently provided with immediate welfare support before being escorted to Damaturu to continue their journey.

The military described the operation as a demonstration of the operational readiness, surveillance capability and combat effectiveness of Operation HADIN KAI.

It warned that any attempt by insurgents to attack or abduct civilians in the North-East would continue to attract swift military response.