Troops of Operation Hadin Kai has foiled an abduction attempt by terrorists and rescued 31 civilians during a military operation along Buratai–Kamuya Road in the Biu Local Government Area of Borno State.

In a statement on Friday, the acting spokesperson for the operation, Mohammed Goni, said the incident occurred on Friday at about 3:45 p.m when troops detected Boko Haram/ISWAP terrorists through real-time surveillance systems as they intercepted four civilian vehicles and abducted their occupants. 

“Acting swiftly on the intelligence, the battalion deployed a quick response force in pursuit of the terrorists as they fled towards the Mangari–Dora general area,” he said. 

He stated that the troops made contact with the terrorists and engaged them in effective fire, compelling them to abandon their victims and the four civilian vehicles before fleeing into the surrounding bush in disarray.

“During the operation, troops also recovered motorcycles abandoned  by the fleeing terrorists. All 31 abducted civilians were rescued unharmed, while the four civilian vehicles were recovered intact,” Mr Goni said. 

The operation spokesperson added that the rescued victims and recovered vehicles were subsequently escorted to Buratai, where the victims regained possession of their vehicles and continued their journey safely.