Troops of the Joint Task Force (North East) Operation HADIN KAI (OPHK) have rescued 92 kidnapped civilians and successfully foiled an attempted improvised explosive device (IED) ambush by suspected Boko Haram/ISWAP terrorists during a rescue operation along the Buratai–Kamuya road in Biu Local Government Area of Borno State.
The operation, which took place on Saturday, May 23, 2026, led to the recovery of 92 abducted victims and eight vehicles without any casualties among security personnel.
In a statement issued by Lieutenant Colonel Sani Uba, Media Information Officer, Headquarters Joint Task Force (North East) Operation HADIN KAI, troops acted swiftly after detecting insurgents forcing civilians and motorists into nearby bushes.
“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,” Uba stated.
According to him, a Quick Reaction Force from the battalion was immediately deployed while reinforcement troops from the 27 Task Force Brigade Garrison were activated to support the mission.
He explained that troops launched a coordinated pursuit towards the Mangari-Dora general area, where they engaged the insurgents, forcing them to abandon their captives and flee.
“All 92 kidnapped victims, comprising 52 males, 33 females and seven children, along with eight vehicles, were successfully recovered,” he said.
Uba further disclosed that the fleeing terrorists attempted to slow down the advancing troops by planting explosive devices along the Bula Zarma–Mangari axis.
“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,” he said.
“The plot failed. The unit’s Explosive Ordnance Disposal team responded with precision. It successfully detonated all three devices, clearing the route and enabling troops to continue the pursuit approximately five kilometres beyond the Mangari general area.”
Subsequent search operations across the area, he added, indicated that the insurgents had scattered after abandoning their captives and operational objectives.
The military spokesman said troops recorded no personnel or equipment losses throughout the operation.
“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,” Uba said.
He added that the operation demonstrated the force’s surveillance capability and operational readiness in the North-East.
“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,” he stated. #Securitynewsalert.com
