Troops arrest 29, rescue 86 in Borno
By Abel Ayodele
Troops of the Joint Task Force North East, Operation Hadin Kai (OPHK), have rescued 86 kidnapped victims and arrested 29 suspected terrorist collaborators during coordinated military operations in Borno State. The operations, carried out over the weekend, also foiled an attempted ambush by Boko Haram and Islamic State of West Africa Province (ISWAP) fighters.
A statement issued on Monday by the OPHK spokesperson, Lt.-Col. Sani Uba, said soldiers from the 135 Special Forces Battalion, operating under Sector 2, confronted the terrorists at Dutse Kura while responding to intelligence reports of abductions along the Buratai–Kamuya Road. The troops reportedly engaged the insurgents in a gun battle, chased them toward Mangari, and destroyed 11 makeshift camps used by the group.
According to the statement, eight hostages, including men, women, and children, were rescued at the scene. Items recovered included an AK-47 rifle, five magazines containing 73 rounds, four PKT ammunition belts, five vehicles, five motorcycles, eight bicycles, and two tricycles used for logistics. The troops also set fire to the terrorists’ camp after clearing the area.
Lt.-Col. Uba added that another team of soldiers stationed at Mangada intercepted and detained 29 suspected suppliers of logistics materials allegedly working for the terrorists. The suspects were caught with two pickup vans and a tricycle transporting 1,000 litres of petrol, engine oil, truck tyres, medical supplies, and food items believed to be destined for insurgent hideouts.
He said the military high command commended the troops for their bravery and professionalism, urging them to sustain the momentum and maintain pressure on the terrorist networks operating in the North East.