Troops Rescue 53 Hostages, Recover Eight Vehicles After Foiling ISWAP Roadblock in Borno

By Zainab Uzomah|Abuja

Troops of Operation HADIN KAI have rescued 53 civilians and recovered eight vehicles after dismantling a suspected ISWAP roadblock along the Buratai–Kamuya road in Biu Local Government Area of Borno State.

The operation, carried out on Wednesday by troops of the 135 Special Forces Battalion, Sector 2, followed intelligence gathered through surveillance cameras that detected armed insurgents blocking the highway near Dutse Kura.

According to a statement issued on Thursday by the Acting Military Information Officer, Headquarters Joint Task Force North East Operation HADIN KAI, Captain Mohammed Goni, a Quick Reaction Force was immediately deployed to the scene, where troops engaged the terrorists in a firefight.

The statement said the insurgents retreated towards the Mangari–Dora area after coming under sustained military pressure.

During the operation, the troops rescued 53 civilians who had been held by the insurgents and recovered eight vehicles allegedly seized during the roadblock.

The military said troops subsequently cleared the terrorists’ withdrawal route and dominated the area to prevent further attacks, although no additional contact was made with the fleeing insurgents.

All the rescued civilians, recovered vehicles and other properties were evacuated to Buratai town, where the victims are undergoing documentation and medical evaluation.

The military also urged residents within the theatre of operations to remain vigilant and continue providing timely intelligence on suspicious movements to support ongoing counter-insurgency efforts.