Troops foil ISWAP roadblock, rescue 53 travellers in Borno

Troops of the Joint Task Force North-East, Operation HADIN KAI, have rescued 53 civilians after foiling an attempted roadblock mounted by suspected ISWAP terrorists along the Buratai–Kamuya road in Biu Local Government Area of Borno State.

The operation was carried out on June 24 after troops of the 135 Special Forces Battalion, deployed at Echo 1 in Dutse Kura, detected the movement of the insurgents through surveillance.

Security sources said the terrorists had blocked the Buratai–Kamuya route when a Quick Response Force was immediately deployed to the area.

On sighting the troops, the insurgents fled towards the Mangari–Dora axis, where they were engaged in a gun battle. The troops reportedly overpowered the terrorists, forcing them to retreat.

The operation led to the rescue of 53 civilians, including 48 adults—20 men and 28 women—and five children. Troops also recovered eight vehicles abandoned during the incident.

Following the rescue, the troops advanced about 10 kilometres along the terrorists’ escape route, carrying out clearance operations and ensuring the road was safe for commuters. No further contact was made with the fleeing insurgents.

The rescued civilians and recovered vehicles were later escorted to Buratai, where the travellers resumed their journeys.

Military sources said no casualties or equipment losses were recorded during the operation.

The successful mission is the latest in a series of efforts by Operation HADIN KAI to secure major highways and protect civilians from terrorist attacks across the North-East.

According to military authorities, although the security situation in the theatre remains generally calm, it is still unpredictable. They added that troops remain highly motivated and operationally prepared to respond to emerging threats.