Troops of the Northeast Joint Task Force (JTF), Operation Hadin Kai (OPHK), have foiled a Boko Haram abduction attempt with the rescue of 31 kidnapped victims along the 130-kilometre Damaturu-Buni/Yadi-Biu road in Borno and Yobe states

 

The military said the troops‘ rescue operations occurred on Friday, in the Buratai-Dutsen Kura-Kamuya axis and recovered four snatched commercial vehicles.

 

Acting OPHK Media Information Officer, Capt. Mohammed Goni, in a statement issued on Sunday in Maiduguri disclosed: “Preliminary investigation revealed that troops of 135 Special Forces Battalion, Dutsen Kura, detected Boko Haram terrorists movements through real-time surveillance system, as they intercepted four civilian vehicles carrying the abducted motorists and passengers into the Sambisa Forest.”

 

Goni added that swiftly acting on the intelligence, the Battalion deployed a Quick Response Force in pursuit of the terrorists as they fled towards the Mangari–Dora general area of the forest.

 

The statement reads in part: “In a display of vigilance and bravery, the troops of Operation HADIN KAI, have foiled a terrorist abduction attempt and rescued 31 civilians during a successful military operation conducted along the Buratai–Kamuya road in Biu Local Government Area of Borno State.

 

Beyond the foil of kidnap attempts, he said: “At about 3:45 p.m on 31st 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 on the road.

 

“Acting swiftly on intelligence, the Battalion deployed a Quick Response Force in pursuit of the terrorists as they fled towards the Mangari–Dora general area.”

 

He added that The troops also 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.

 

Goni said, “During the operation, troops also recovered motorcycles abandoned by the fleeing terrorists. All 31 abducted civilians were rescued unharmed, while the four civilian vehicles were recovered intact.

 

“Following the successful rescue, troops dominated the general area and conducted further exploitation to deny the terrorists any opportunity to regroup.”

 

According to him, the rescued civilians and recovered vehicles were subsequently escorted to Buratai, where the victims regained possession of their vehicles and continued their journey safely.

 

“The successful operation has demonstrated the effectiveness of intelligence-driven operations in protecting civilians and frustrating terrorists’ activities in Borno, Adamawa and Yobe states,” he stated..