Troops of Operation HADIN KAI have foiled an attempted mass abduction by Boko Haram/ISWAP terrorists and rescued 31 civilians during a military operation along the Buratai–Kamuya Road in Biu Local Government Area of Borno State.

The Nigerian military in a statement signed by the Acting Military Information Officer, Headquarters Joint Task Force (North East), Captain Mohammed Goni, said the operation was carried out at about 3:45 p.m. on Friday, July 31, after troops of the 135 Special Forces Battalion, Dutsen Kura, detected the terrorists intercepting four civilian vehicles and abducting their occupants through real-time surveillance.

According to the military, the battalion immediately deployed a Quick Response Force to pursue the insurgents as they fled towards the Mangari–Dora area.

The troops subsequently engaged the terrorists in a gun battle, forcing them to abandon the kidnapped victims and the four vehicles before fleeing into the surrounding bush.

During the operation, soldiers also recovered motorcycles abandoned by the fleeing terrorists.

The military confirmed that all 31 abducted civilians were rescued unharmed, while the four vehicles were recovered intact.

Following the successful rescue, troops dominated the area and carried out follow-up exploitation operations to prevent the insurgents from regrouping. However, no further contact was made with the fleeing terrorists.

The rescued victims and the recovered vehicles were later escorted to Buratai, where the civilians regained possession of their vehicles and continued their journeys safely.

The army described the operation as another demonstration of the effectiveness of intelligence-led operations in protecting civilians and disrupting terrorist activities in the North-East.

It said, “The successful operation once again demonstrates the effectiveness of intelligence-driven operations in protecting civilians and frustrating terrorist activities. The Joint Task Force remains resolute in sustaining aggressive operations to eliminate the remnants of terrorists while ensuring the security of communities and major lines of communication across the North East Theatre,” the statement added.