Troops Rescue 92 Kidnapped Civilians, Defuse 3 IEDs in Borno

Troops Rescue 92 Kidnapped Civilians, Defuse 3 IEDs in Borno

Maiduguri, Nigeria – The military high command has announced that troops of the Joint Task Force (North-East) Operation Hadin Kai (OPHK) have successfully rescued 92 kidnapped civilians and foiled an Improvised Explosive Device (IED) ambush mounted by Boko Haram and ISWAP terrorists during a swift rescue operation along the Buratai-Kamuya road in Biu Local Government Area of Borno State . The operation, executed on Saturday, May 23, 2026, demonstrated the military’s enhanced surveillance capability and combat readiness in the ongoing fight against insurgency in Nigeria’s North-East region.

According to a statement issued by the Media Information Officer, Headquarters, Joint Task Force (North-East) Operation Hadin Kai, Lieutenant Colonel Sani Uba, the operation followed the detection of terrorists forcibly herding civilians and vehicles off the road into surrounding bushes. The military explained that at approximately 11:22 am, vigilant troops of the 135 Special Forces Battalion deployed in Dutse Kura identified the movement of the terrorists through surveillance systems and immediately activated a Quick Reaction Force . Reinforcement troops from the 27 Task Force Brigade Garrison were also mobilized to support the rescue effort, ensuring that sufficient manpower was deployed to overwhelm the terrorist group.

The troops reportedly pursued the terrorists towards the Mangari-Dora general area, engaging them in a fierce firefight that forced the terrorists to abandon their captives and flee in disarray. The military confirmed that all 92 kidnapped victims, comprising 52 males, 33 females, and seven children, were rescued alongside eight vehicles recovered during the operation. The successful rescue came as a significant blow to the terrorist network, which has increasingly resorted to highway abductions as a tactic to disrupt civilian movement and generate revenue through ransom demands.

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As the fleeing terrorists attempted to slow down the advancing troops and prevent the rescue of their captives, they planted three Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs) along the Bula Zarma-Mangari axis in what was described as a calculated ambush attempt. However, the Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) team of Operation Hadin Kai promptly responded to the threat, detecting and safely detonating all three devices before they could cause any harm. The successful clearance of the IEDs enabled troops to continue their pursuit for approximately five kilometers beyond the Mangari area , demonstrating the military’s ability to overcome terrorist obstacles in real-time.

The military confirmed that subsequent search operations conducted across the area verified that the terrorists had abandoned their captives, vehicles, and operational objectives before fleeing in confusion. Notably, Operation Hadin Kai troops recorded no personnel or equipment casualties throughout the entire rescue operation, a testament to the professionalism and tactical superiority of the Nigerian military forces involved. The rescued civilians were immediately consolidated, provided with welfare support including food, water, and medical attention, and escorted safely to Damaturu, where they were released to continue their journey.

The military noted that the successful operation further demonstrated the operational reach, surveillance capability, and combat readiness of Operation Hadin Kai. The military high command reaffirmed its commitment to protecting civilians and denying terrorists freedom of action across the North-East Theatre , issuing a stern warning to terrorist groups that attempts to kidnap or intimidate civilians will be met with “swift and overwhelming force.”

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This successful rescue operation comes amid intensified military offensives against terrorist groups in Borno State. Between May 15 and 21, 2026, troops neutralized terrorists during clearance operations in Gwoza Local Government Area and arrested suspected collaborators involved in insurgent logistics. Several terrorists and their family members have also surrendered to troops due to sustained operational pressure, indicating that the military’s strategy of continuous offensives is yielding results.

In a separate operation along the Ngoshe–Amuda axis in Gwoza Local Government Area, troops recently rescued four abducted persons, including a three-year-old child, who had been kidnapped during an attack on the Ngoshe community on March 3, 2026. So far, a total of 65 abducted persons have been rescued in ongoing operations across the theatre, highlighting the military’s sustained focus on hostage rescue as a core component of its counter-insurgency strategy.

Additionally, on May 23, 2026, troops of the 153 Task Force Battalion and allied forces repelled an attack by suspected terrorists who attempted to infiltrate a military position in Kirawa town along the Nigeria-Cameroon border. At least 12 suspected terrorists were killed in the ensuing gunfight, and troops recovered weapons including AK-47 rifles, rocket-propelled grenade launchers, and a machine gun. The successful border defense operation further underscores the military’s ability to secure Nigeria’s international boundaries against terrorist incursions.

The Armed Forces of Nigeria have intensified ongoing military operations across the country, recording significant successes against terrorists, kidnappers, gunrunners, and other criminal elements. Under Operation Hadin Kai in the North-East, troops continue to dismantle insurgent camps, intercept logistics supply routes, recover weapons, and rescue kidnapped victims. The military has urged members of the public to continue providing credible and timely information on suspicious activities or objects to security agencies, emphasizing that community collaboration remains essential in the fight against terrorism and insurgency.

As of May 25, 2026, Operation Hadin Kai maintains its commitment to restoring peace, security, and economic stability in the North-East region, assuring the public that all necessary measures are being taken to neutralize threats and safeguard lives and property. The successful rescue of 92 civilians serves as a clear message that the Nigerian military remains a formidable force against terrorism and will not relent until every captive is freed and every terrorist is brought to justice.

Troops Rescue 92 Kidnapped Civilians, Defuse 3 IEDs in Borno