The Troops of Operation Hadin Kai have thwarted a terrorist abduction attempt and rescued 31 civilians during a successful military operation conducted along the Buratai–Kamuya Road in the Biu Local Government.
In a statement, the Acting Military Information Officer, Headquarters of the Joint Task Force (North East) Operation Hadin Kai, Captain Mohammed Goni, said the incident occurred on Friday, July 31, 2026.
“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.
“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”.
According to Captain Goni, the troops also recovered motorcycles abandoned by the fleeing terrorists, and all 31 abducted civilians were rescued unharmed, while the four civilian vehicles were recovered intact.
He said: “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.”
The Army said the Joint Task Force remains resolute in sustaining aggressive operations to eliminate the remnants of terrorists while ensuring the security of communities and major lines of communication across the North East Theatre.
