TROOPS of Operation Hadin Kai have foiled a terrorist abduction attempt and rescued 31 civilians during a successful military operation along the Buratai–Kamuya Road in Biu Local Government Area of Borno State.
News Point Nigeria reports that the operation also led to the recovery of four civilian vehicles and motorcycles abandoned by the fleeing terrorists after troops engaged them in a fierce gun battle.
The Acting Military Information Officer, Headquarters Joint Task Force (North East) Operation Hadin Kai, Captain Mohammed Goni, disclosed the development in a statement, saying the incident occurred on Friday, July 31, 2026.
According to the statement, troops of the 135 Special Forces Battalion, Dutsen Kura, detected the movement of Boko Haram/ISWAP terrorists through real-time surveillance systems at about 3:45 p.m.
“At about 3:45 p.m. on 31 July 2026, troops of 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,” the statement read in part.
Captain Goni explained that the battalion immediately deployed a Quick Response Force after receiving the intelligence, pursuing the terrorists as they fled towards the Mangari–Dora general area.
He said the troops established contact with the insurgents and engaged them with effective firepower, forcing the terrorists to abandon both the abducted civilians and the four civilian vehicles before fleeing into the surrounding bush in disarray.
“Acting swiftly on the intelligence, the Battalion deployed a Quick Response Force in pursuit of the terrorists as they fled towards the Mangari–Dora general area. The troops made contact with the insurgents and engaged them with effective fire, compelling the terrorists to abandon the abducted civilians and the four civilian vehicles before fleeing into the surrounding bush in disarray,” he stated.
Captain Goni further disclosed that the troops recovered motorcycles abandoned by the fleeing terrorists during the operation.
He added that all 31 abducted civilians were rescued unharmed, while the four civilian vehicles were recovered intact.
Following the successful operation, the troops dominated the general area and carried out further exploitation to prevent the terrorists from regrouping.
“Following the successful rescue, troops dominated the general area and conducted further exploitation to deny the terrorists any opportunity to regroup. No further contact was made during the operation. The rescued civilians and recovered vehicles were subsequently escorted to Buratai, where the victims regained possession of their vehicles and continued their journey safely,” he said.
The Nigerian Army reaffirmed that the Joint Task Force, Operation Hadin Kai, remains committed to sustaining aggressive operations aimed at eliminating the remnants of terrorist groups while ensuring the safety of communities and securing major lines of communication across the North-East theatre of operations.