Troops neutralise 16 terrorists, rescue 11 hostages in Borno

Troops of Operation Hadin Kai have killed 16 insurgents, rescued 11 kidnapped victims and arrested suspected logistics suppliers to terrorists during a series of operations in Borno State.

The Media Information Officer of the Joint Task Force (North-East), Operation Hadin Kai, Lt. Col. Sanni Uba, disclosed this in a statement on Wednesday.

According to him, the terrorists were neutralised on February 9 when troops, working alongside the Civilian Joint Task Force, launched a counter-offensive along the Komala axis in Konduga Local Government Area, following an earlier attempted attack on a military base.

Uba said insurgents suspected to be members of the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) had attempted to attack the Forward Operating Base in Auno late on February 5, but were repelled by troops.

He explained that the soldiers capitalised on the failed assault to pursue the fleeing terrorists days later, engaging them up to the Gidan Kaji axis where 16 insurgents were killed, while several others escaped with injuries.

The troops also recovered more than 20 bicycles, weapons, ammunition and a cache of logistics supplies believed to be meant for terrorist operations.

In a separate operation the same day, troops arrested suspected ISWAP logistics suppliers transporting a large quantity of drugs around the Bukarti axis.

Uba further said troops foiled a kidnap attempt along the Buratai–Kamuya road after detecting suspicious movements. The insurgents fled during pursuit, abandoning two victims, identified as Mallam Idris Adamu and Mallam Muhammadu Safiyanu, who were later reunited with their families.

Additionally, soldiers responding to a distress call along the Chibok–Damboa axis rescued nine other kidnapped persons.

He noted that the operations demonstrate the task force’s sustained efforts to degrade terrorist capabilities, disrupt their supply networks and protect civilians across the North-East.