Troops Rescue Nine Civilians, Foil Terrorist Attack, Arrest Suspected Collaborators in North-East

By Zainab Uzomah|Abuja

Troops of Operation Hadin Kai have rescued nine civilians, arrested suspected terrorist collaborators and logistics suppliers, and repelled a coordinated attack by Boko Haram and ISWAP fighters in separate operations across the North-East.

This was disclosed in a statement signed by the Acting Media Information Officer of Operation Hadin Kai, Lieutenant Colonel Haruna M. Sani.

According to the statement, troops of Sector 2 on June 11 rescued three children identified as Ali Usman, 15; Umar Ibrahim Abubakar, 15; and Fatima Abubakar, 12, during fighting and clearance patrols around the Amuda area.

Preliminary investigations indicated that the children escaped from terrorist enclaves in Saha and Chinene in the Mandara Mountains following sustained military operations in the area. The children were subsequently profiled and reunited with community leaders in Ngoshe.

In a related development, troops of Sector 3 on June 12 responded to a kidnapping attempt along the Damasak–Gubio road and rescued six civilians abandoned by fleeing terrorists following a pursuit operation around Kareto.

The military also reported that troops of 68 Battalion at Mallam Fatori thwarted an attempted reconnaissance mission by suspected ISWAP members and recovered an AK-47 rifle with a loaded magazine containing 31 rounds of ammunition.

Similarly, troops at Check Point 61 intercepted 11 suspects travelling in two vehicles. Preliminary investigations linked the suspects to efforts to recover vehicles allegedly belonging to individuals suspected of supporting terrorist logistics operations around Ali Sheriffti.

In another operation, troops of Sector 2 arrested a suspected logistics courier, identified as Malahi Liman Muhammad, along the Mandaragirau–Sabon Gari axis. Items recovered from him included herbicides, blankets, salt, food supplies and mobile phones suspected to be intended for insurgent groups.

Meanwhile, troops of Sector 1 repelled a coordinated attack by Boko Haram and ISWAP fighters on a military position at COP Bridge in the early hours of June 12.

The military said the attackers, operating with four gun trucks and several motorcycles, launched assaults from the Wurge, Manawaji and Kinuba axes but were forced to retreat after troops responded with artillery and mortar fire support.

Following the engagement, troops recovered three rocket-propelled grenade launchers, seven high-explosive anti-tank rounds and other unexploded ordnance along the terrorists’ withdrawal routes.

The military said signs of bloodstains and body drag marks suggested the attackers suffered casualties during the failed assault.

One soldier sustained injuries from rocket-propelled grenade fragments and is receiving medical treatment.

The military said operations aimed at disrupting terrorist networks and logistics supply chains across the North-East remain ongoing.