Troops of the joint task force north-east Operation Hadin Kai (OPHK) have reportedly rescued 86 kidnap victims and thwarted a terrorist ambush during coordinated operations in Borno state.
Sani Uba, the media information officer for OPHK, in a statement on Monday, said soldiers from the 135 special forces battalion under Sector 2 responded to reports of abductions along the Buratai–Kamuya road.
The troops encountered Boko Haram/ISWAP terrorists at Dutse Kura on Sunday, engaging them in combat before pursuing the insurgents to Mangari.
He said a follow-up encounter led to the destruction of 11 makeshift terrorist structures and the rescue of eight victims, including men, women, and children.
Uba said the troops recovered an AK-47 rifle, five magazines with 73 rounds, four PKT ammunition belts, five civilian vehicles, five motorcycles, eight bicycles, and two logistics tricycles.
He said the terrorists’ camp was destroyed following clearance operations.
Uba said troops deployed at Mangada apprehended 29 suspected terrorist logistics suppliers en route to the Chilaria area of Borno.
He said the suspects were found with two pickup vans and a tricycle carrying about 1,000 litres of petrol, engine oil, new gun truck tyres, medical consumables, and large quantities of food.
