Troops Rescue 86 Kidnapped Victims, Destroy Boko Haram Camp in Borno

By Micheal Chukwuebuka

Troops of Operation Hadin Kai have rescued 86 kidnapped victims and destroyed a major Boko Haram/ISWAP camp in the Buratai–Kamuya area of Borno State.

The operation, conducted on Sunday by the 135 Special Forces Battalion, followed surveillance alerts indicating that terrorists were abducting civilians along the route.

According to a statement by Lieutenant Colonel Sani Uba, Media Information Officer for the Joint Task Force, troops stationed at Echo 1 in Dutse Kura came under heavy attack at about 3:52 p.m. A Quick Response Force was immediately deployed to reinforce them, successfully repelling the terrorists and pursuing them towards the Mangari axis.

During the pursuit, the insurgents attempted to flee with kidnapped civilians in two vehicles. However, troops ambushed them, forcing the terrorists to abandon the victims.

A subsequent search led to the discovery of a Boko Haram/ISWAP camp, where 86 captives—comprising men, women, and children—were rescued unharmed.

Recovered items from the scene included one AK-47 rifle, five magazines loaded with 73 rounds of ammunition, PKT ammunition belts, five civilian vehicles, five motorcycles, eight bicycles, and two tricycles. The camp was later destroyed.

In a separate operation the same day, troops at Delta 1 in Mangada arrested 29 suspected Boko Haram logistics suppliers, eight of whom were identified as active couriers.

Seized items included two pickup vans and a tricycle loaded with Premium Motor Spirit, 38 jerry cans of fuel, engine oil, medical supplies, food items, and two new gun-truck tyres.

The suspects and recovered items have been handed over for further investigation. Military sources stated that the latest operations form part of intensified efforts to disrupt terrorist supply chains and restrict their movement across the North-East region.