Troops rescue 86 kidnap victims, cracks down on Boko Haram Logistics in Borno

Troops of Operation HADIN KAI (OPHK), under the Joint Task Force North East, have successfully rescued 86 civilians, mainly motorists and passengers, abducted by Boko Haram/ISWAP around Dutsen Kura along the Damaturu-Buratai-Biu road in Borno State.

In a series of operations on Sunday, November 9, 2025, troops also arrested 29 suspected Boko Haram logistics suppliers at the Mangana agricultural hub in Biu Local Government Area, while recovering a significant cache of arms, ammunition, and other supplies. The missions included the destruction of 11 makeshift structures belonging to terrorists.

According to a senior military officer, troops from the 135 Special Forces Battalion, operating under Sector 2 OPHK, encountered the insurgents at Dutse Kura while intercepting attempts to abduct civilians and seize vehicles along the Buratai–Kamuya Road. The troops pursued the terrorists toward Mangari, overpowering them and forcing them to flee in disarray.

The operation led to the recovery of one AK-47 rifle, five magazines with 73 rounds, four PKT ammunition belts, five civilian vehicles, five motorcycles, eight bicycles, two logistics tricycles, and the destruction of the terrorists’ camp.

In a related mission at Mangada, troops arrested 29 logistics suppliers en route to Chilaria, seizing two pickup vans, a tricycle loaded with about 1,000 litres of petrol, engine oil, gun truck tyres, medical supplies, and large quantities of food.

The military confirmed that all operations were conducted without casualties among the troops and commended their gallantry and professionalism, urging OPHK to continue denying terrorists freedom of action across the North East theatre.