Eid-el-Adha: Military Rescues Abductees, Disrupts Boko Haram Operations

By Zainab Uzomah| Abuja

Eid-el-Adha celebrations across the North-East remained peaceful as troops of Operation HADIN KAI foiled coordinated terrorist attacks, neutralised Boko Haram/ISWAP fighters, arrested criminal suspects and rescued abducted civilians in a series of operations across the region.

According to a statement signed by the Media Information Officer, Headquarters Joint Task Force (North East) Operation HADIN KAI, Lieutenant Colonel Sani Uba, troops sustained operational momentum in conjunction with Operation DESERT SANITY V/SIEGE OPERATIONS, recording significant successes in counter-terrorism and anti-criminal operations.

The statement said troops thwarted coordinated terrorist activities along theBuratai–Chara axis in Borno State after surveillance systems detected a large concentration of Boko Haram/ISWAP fighters. Troops engaged the terrorists with offensive fire, forcing them to retreat, while pursuing forces inflicted further casualties and recovered 169 rounds of 7.62mm ammunition.

In Yobe State, troops of 27 Task Force Brigade, working with the Civilian Joint Task Force and local hunters, conducted a successful ambush around Kasaicia village in Gujba Local Government Area, where four terrorists were neutralised and two AK-47 rifles recovered.

Troops also foiled another terrorist attack along the Kirawa axis and carried out coordinated offensive operations along the Damboa–Kanama, Damboa–Gwoza, Goniri and FOB Azir corridors, denying terrorists freedom of movement across key routes.

The military further arrested three suspected armed robbers in Gar Gwigwi village of Biu Local Government Area, Borno State, and recovered mobile phones, wristwatches, charms, cash, a dagger and a dane gun. A suspected terrorist collaborator was also apprehended in Monguno, while a suspected drug peddler was arrested in Mubi South Local Government Area of Adamawa State.

The statement disclosed that troops rescued additional abducted civilians along the Ngoshe–Amuda axis, bringing the total number of rescued persons from the Ngoshe incident to 69. Another kidnapped victim was rescued in Gwoza after escaping from terrorist captivity due to sustained military pressure on insurgent enclaves.

As part of activities marking the Eid-el-Adha celebration, troops of Sector 2 Operation HADIN KAI in Damaturu, Yobe State, hosted a Sallah event attended by militarypersonnel, community leaders, dignitaries and patients receiving treatment at the Level II Field Hospital. The event was aimed at boosting troop morale and strengthening civil-military relations.

The Theatre Command reaffirmed its commitment to sustaining pressure on terrorist elements, protecting civilians and restoring lasting peace, security and economic stability across the North-East.