Troops Rescue 86 Kidnapped Victims, Arrest 29 Logistics Suppliers in Borno

By Hajara Abdullahi

The Nigerian Army troops of Operation HADIN KAI Joint Task Force in the North East, during an operation on Sunday, rescued 86 kidnapped victims, foiled a terrorist attack, and arrested 29 terrorist logistics suppliers in Borno State.

This was revealed in a statement posted on the Nigerian Army’s official X handle on Monday by Sani Uba, the Media Information Officer, Joint Task Force North East Operation HADIN KAI.

According to Uba, troops of the 135 Special Battalion, under Sector 2 of Operation HADIN KAI, on November 9, foiled a Boko Haram attack along the Buratai–Kamuya Road, where 86 kidnapped victims — including women and children — were rescued from makeshift structures belonging to the terrorists. The troops overpowered the insurgents, who fled towards Mangari, but were later engaged and further subdued by the troops in a follow-up encounter, forcing them to flee in disarray.

Uba added that several items were recovered during the operation, 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 operation also led to the destruction of the terrorists’ camp.

The statement further disclosed that, in a related operation, troops at Mangada arrested 29 terrorist logistics suppliers en route to Chilaria with various items. “Recovered items include 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, a huge cache of medical consumables, and large quantities of foodstuffs and provisions,” the statement reads.

The statement concluded that no casualties were recorded on the part of the troops, while the Military High Command commended their gallantry and professionalism, urging them to sustain and intensify efforts to eliminate terrorists across the North East region.