Troops Free 86 Victims, Arrests 29 Terrorists Logistics Suppliers

Troops of Operation HADIN KAI (OPHK), Joint Task Force North East, have rescued 86 victims abducted by suspected Boko Haram/ISWAP insurgents and arrested 29 logistics suppliers of the terrorists in Borno State.

In a statement on Monday, Sani Uba, the media information officer for OPHK, said soldiers from the 135 Special Forces battalion under Sector 2 responded to reports of abductions along the Buratai–Kamuya road.

The troops encountered Boko Haram/ISWAP terrorists at Dutse Kura on Sunday, engaging them in combat before pursuing the insurgents to Mangari.

“The troops thwarted the attack, pursued the terrorists towards Mangari, and overpowered them in a follow-up encounter near a camp, forcing the insurgents to flee in disarray.”
“A search of the area led to the discovery of 11 makeshift terrorists’ structures and the rescue of 86 kidnapped victims comprising men, women, and children.

“Items recovered include one AK-47 rifle, five magazines with 73 rounds, four PKT ammunition belts, five civilian vehicles, five motorcycles, eight bicycles, and two logistics tricycles.

“The terrorists’ camp was destroyed in situ after clearance operations. In a related operation, troops deployed at Mangada, arrested 29 terrorist logistics suppliers enroute Chilaria with several items.

“Recovered items include two pickup vans and a tricycle loaded with Premium Motor Spirit, about 1,000 litres of petrol in jerricans, four gallons of engine oil, two new gun truck tyres, huge cache of medical consumables, and large quantities of foodstuffs and provisions.

“All operations were conducted successfully with no casualty on the part of our own troops. The Military High Command commended the gallantry and professionalism of the troops while charging Operation HADIN KAI to sustain operations to deny terrorists freedom of action across the North East theatre” he said.