Borno: Troops rescue 86 hostages from Boko Haram, nab 29 terror suspects

By Ayorinde Oluokun/Abuja

The Nigerian Army has listed rescue of 86 hostages from a camp operated by Boko Haram and arrest of 29 terrorist logistics suppliers among the recent achievement of its troops involved in the ongoing counter-terrorism and counter-insurgency operations in Borno State.

The feats were achieved by troops of Operation HADIN KAI (OPHK), Joint Task Force North East, Sani Uba, the media officer, the media information officer of the task force said in a statement

According to the statement, the rescue of the kidnapped victims followed encounter of troops of 135 Special Forces Battalion, under Sector 2 OPHK on 9 November 2025 with Boko Haram/ISWAP terrorists at Dutse Kura.

The troops discovered that the Boko Haram terrorists were abducting civilians and vehicles along the Buratai–Kamuya Road, thwarted the attack.

He added that pursuit of the insurgents led to the discovery of the camp where the victims were rescued.

‘The troops thwarted the attack, pursued the terrorists towards Mangari, and overpowered them in a follow-up encounter near a camp, forcing the insurgents to flee in disarray.

“A search of the area led to the discovery of 11 makeshift terrorists’ structures and the rescue of 86 kidnapped victims comprising men, women, and children.

The media information officer listed items recovered from the camp to include one AK-47 rifle, five magazines with 73 rounds, four PKT ammunition belts, five civilian vehicles, five motorcycles, eight bicycles, and two logistics tricycles.

The terrorists’ camp was subsequently destroyed by the troops after the clearance operations.

The statement also added that in a related operation, troops deployed at Mangada, arrested 29 terrorist logistics suppliers enroute Chilaria with several items.

Uba listed the items recovered from the alleged logistic suppliers to include include two pickup vans and a tricycle loaded with about 1,000 litres of petrol in jerrycans, four gallons of engine oil, two new gun truck tyres, huge cache of medical consumables, and large quantities of foodstuffs and provisions.

He added that all the operations were conducted successfully with no casualty on the part of own troops.

“The Military High Command commended the gallantry and professionalism of the troops while charging Operation HADIN KAI to sustain operations to deny terrorists freedom of action across the North East theatre.