Troops kill nine ISWAP fighters, rescue 74 NYSC members in Borno

Troops kill nine ISWAP fighters, rescue 74 NYSC members in Borno

Troops of the Joint Task Force (JTF) North East, Operation Hadin Kai (OPHK), have recorded fresh gains in the fight against insurgency with the neutralisation of nine Islamic State of West Africa Province (ISWAP) fighters and the rescue of 74 National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) members in Borno State.

The operations, conducted under Operation Desert Sanity IV, were detailed in a statement issued on Wednesday by OPHK spokesperson, Lieutenant Colonel Sani Uba.

According to the statement, troops of Sector 1, working with members of the Civilian Joint Task Force (CJTF), engaged ISWAP fighters on 12 November 2025 at Yanaga Ari, in Mafa Local Government Area.

“During the encounter, nine terrorists were neutralised, while five AK-47 rifles, several rounds of ammunition and other logistics items were recovered,” Lt. Col. Uba said.

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In a separate operation, troops of Sector 2 foiled a mass abduction of corps members travelling for a Christian evangelism programme. The 74 corps members — 36 males and 38 females — were stranded along the Buratai–Kamuya Road in Biu LGA after their vehicles broke down late at night near an area notorious for kidnappings.

A military patrol team was dispatched after operators monitoring CCTV feeds noticed unusual movement involving three buses at the location. The troops arrived on time to prevent an attack and moved the corps members to safety.

“The rescued NYSC members are currently being accommodated at the Tukur Yusuf Buratai Institute pending further arrangements for their safe movement,” the statement added.

The Military High Command commended the troops for their “impressive gallantry and proactiveness” and urged residents to continue providing timely intelligence to support ongoing operations in the North East.

 

Troops kill nine ISWAP fighters, rescue 74 NYSC members in Borno