53 Kidnap Victims Freed as Soldiers Repel ISWAP

Troops of the 135 Special Forces Battalion, Sector 2 of Operation HADIN KAI, have rescued 53 people abducted by Boko Haram/Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) terrorists in Borno State.

The victims were freed after troops dismantled a terrorist roadblock along the Buratai–Kamuya Road in Biu Local Government Area of the state.
The Acting Military Information Officer of Operation HADIN KAI, Capt. Mohammed Goni, disclosed this in a statement on Friday, saying the operation was carried out on June 23.
According to Goni, troops stationed at Dutse Kura detected the terrorists blocking the highway through surveillance cameras, prompting the immediate deployment of a Quick Reaction Force (QRF).
“The QRF team swiftly mobilised to the scene and pursued the insurgents towards the Mthe Angari–Dora general area, where they engaged the terrorists in a firefight, forcing them to flee in disarray,” he said.
Goni said the troops rescued 53 kidnapped civilians during the operation and recovered eight vehicles seized by the terrorists.
He added that the troops advanced further to clear the insurgents’ withdrawal route, dominated the area, and conducted additional searches, although no further contact was made with the fleeing terrorists.
According to him, all rescued victims, recovered vehicles, and other property were safely evacuated to Buratai, while the rescued civilians are undergoing documentation and medical evaluation.