Troops of Operation HADIN KAI (OPHK) have foiled a terrorist abduction attempt and rescued 31 civilians during a swift military operation along the Buratai–Kamuya Road in Biu Local Government Area of Borno State.
According to a press statement issued by the Acting Military Information Officer, Headquarters Joint Task Force (North East) Operation HADIN KAI, Captain Mohammed Goni, the incident occurred at about 3:45 p.m. on Friday, 31 July 2026.
He said troops of the 135 Special Forces Battalion, Dutsen Kura, detected Boko Haram/ISWAP terrorists through real-time surveillance systems as they intercepted four civilian vehicles and abducted their occupants.
Acting promptly on the intelligence, the battalion deployed a Quick Response Force to pursue the terrorists as they fled towards the Mangari–Dora general area. The troops engaged the insurgents in a firefight, forcing them to abandon the abducted civilians and the four vehicles before fleeing into the surrounding bush.
During the operation, troops also recovered motorcycles abandoned by the fleeing terrorists.
The military said all 31 abducted civilians were rescued unharmed, while the four civilian vehicles were recovered intact.
Following the successful rescue, troops dominated the area and conducted exploitation operations to prevent the terrorists from regrouping. No further contact was made with the fleeing insurgents.
The rescued civilians and recovered vehicles were later escorted to Buratai, where the victims reclaimed their vehicles and safely continued their journey.
Captain Goni said the operation underscores the effectiveness of intelligence-driven military operations in protecting civilians and disrupting terrorist activities across the North-East.
He reaffirmed that the Joint Task Force remains committed to sustaining aggressive operations aimed at eliminating the remnants of Boko Haram and ISWAP terrorists while ensuring the security of communities and major lines of communication in the theatre of operations.
