Troops of Operation Hadin Kai (OPHK) have rescued 74 members of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) from a possible abduction by terrorists along the Buratai–Kamuya road in Borno State.

This is contained in a statement by the Media Information Officer, OPHK, Lt.-Col. Sani Uba, on Thursday.

Mr Uba said the rescued corps members, comprising 36 males and 38 females, were travelling in three buses when the vehicles broke down near a known kidnapping hotspot around 9:05 p.m. on Tuesday.

He said the troops were deployed to the scene after a closed-circuit television (CCTV) system monitored by the military detected suspicious movement of the stranded buses in the area.

He stated, “On arrival, the troops discovered that the passengers were NYSC members who had been stranded after their vehicles developed mechanical faults. The troops immediately secured the area and rescued them from a likely abduction attempt by Boko Haram or ISWAP terrorists operating in that axis.’’

Mr Uba added that the rescued corps members were taken to the Buratai military base for safety, pending arrangements for their onward movement to their various destinations.

According to him, the Theatre Commander, OPHK, Maj.-Gen. Abdulsalam Abubakar, commended the troops for their vigilance and quick response, which averted what could have been another tragic incident.

“The theatre commander reiterated the commitment of the Nigerian military to ensuring the safety of all citizens and maintaining security across the North-East region,” he added.

(NAN)