Troops of the Joint Task Force North East, Operation HADIN KAI, have rescued 53 civilians after foiling a roadblock mounted by suspected Boko Haram/ISWAP terrorists along the Buratai–Kamuya road in Biu Local Government Area of Borno State.
Security sources told Zagazola Makama that the operation was carried out at about 3:45 p.m. on June 24 after troops of the 135 Special Forces Battalion deployed at Echo 1, Dutse Kura, detected the terrorists through a Closed-Circuit Television surveillance system.
According to the sources, the terrorists had mounted an illegal roadblock along the Buratai–Kamuya axis when the troops detected their activities and immediately deployed a Quick Response Force to the location.
The troops pursued the fleeing insurgents towards the Mangari–Dora general area, where they engaged them in a gun battle.
The terrorists were forced to abandon their position and retreat under sustained military fire.
The operation led to the rescue of 53 civilians, comprising 48 adults and five children.
The adults included 20 men and 28 women, while troops also recovered eight vehicles abandoned during the incident.
Following the rescue, the soldiers advanced about 10 kilometres along the insurgents’ withdrawal route, dominating the general area and conducting clearance operations to ensure the road was safe for travellers.
Military sources said no further contact was established with the fleeing terrorists.
The rescued civilians and recovered vehicles were escorted safely to Buratai, from where the travellers continued their journeys.
Military sources confirmed that no casualty or equipment loss was recorded during the operation.
They added that the latest success underscores the continued efforts of Operation HADIN KAI to secure major highways, protect civilians and deny terrorists freedom of movement across the North-East.
According to the sources, although the overall security situation in the theatre remains relatively calm, troops remain on high alert due to the unpredictable nature of insurgent activities.
