Shock in Borno: Troops Rescue 86, Arrest Terror Suppliers

Troops of Operation HADIN KAI (OPHK) under the Joint Task Force, North East Command, have rescued 86 abducted civilians, mostly motorists and passengers, from Boko Haram/ISWAP captivity along the Dutsen Kura axis of the Damaturu–Buratai–Biu Road in Borno State.

According to a senior military officer who spoke on condition of anonymity because he was not authorised to brief the press, the operation took place on Sunday, November 9, 2025, and also led to the destruction of 11 makeshift terrorist camps.

“Troops of the 135 Special Forces Battalion, under Sector 2 OPHK, engaged Boko Haram/ISWAP terrorists at Dutse Kura after discovering they were abducting civilians and vehicles along the Buratai–Kamuya Road,” the source said.
“The troops pursued the fleeing insurgents towards Mangari, overpowering them in a follow-up encounter, which resulted in the rescue of 86 kidnapped victims comprising men, women, and children.”

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Recovered items during the clearance operation included one AK-47 rifle, five magazines containing 73 rounds of ammunition, four PKT ammunition belts, five civilian vehicles, five motorcycles, eight bicycles, and two logistics tricycles. The terrorists’ camp was subsequently destroyed.

In a related operation, troops deployed at Mangada in Biu Local Government Area intercepted and arrested 29 suspected terrorist logistics suppliers en route to Chilaria.

Items recovered from the suspects included two pickup trucks, a tricycle loaded with premium motor spirit (PMS)estimated at 1,000 litres, four gallons of engine oil, two new gun truck tyres, medical consumables, and large quantities of food items and provisions.

The source confirmed that no casualties were recorded on the part of the troops during the operations.

“The Military High Command has commended the gallantry and professionalism of the troops and urged them to sustain the tempo to deny terrorists freedom of action across the North-East theatre,” the source added.

Operation HADIN KAI continues to intensify counter-terrorism and counter-insurgency operations aimed at dismantling terrorist networks and restoring peace across the region.