Troops Foil Borno Abduction, Rescue 31 Civilians As Operation Hadin Kai Sustains Pressure On Terrorists

By On Aug 1, 2026

The Armed Forces of Nigeria (AFN) has said that troops of Operation Hadin Kai (OPHK), once again foiled a terrorist abduction attempt, rescuing 31 civilians during a successful military operation along the Buratai–Kamuya Road in Biu Local Government Area of Borno State.

At about 3:45 p.m. on 31 July 2026, troops of the 135 Special Forces Battalion, Dutsen Kura, detected Boko Haram/ISWAP terrorists through real-time surveillance systems after they intercepted four civilian vehicles and abducted their occupants. Acting swiftly on the intelligence, the Battalion deployed a Quick Response Force to pursue the terrorists as they fled towards the Mangari–Dora general area.

According to a statement by the Acting Military Information Officer of Joint Task Force (North East) Operation HADIN KAI, Captain Mohammed Goni, the troops made contact with the insurgents and engaged them with effective fire, compelling the terrorists to abandon the abducted civilians and the four civilian vehicles before fleeing into the surrounding bush in disarray. During the operation, troops also recovered motorcycles abandoned by the fleeing terrorists. All 31 abducted civilians were rescued unharmed, while the four civilian vehicles were recovered intact.

Following the successful rescue, the troops dominated the general area and carried out further exploitation operations to deny the terrorists any opportunity to regroup. No further contact was made during the operation. The rescued civilians and recovered vehicles were subsequently escorted to Buratai, where the victims regained possession of their vehicles and safely continued their journey.

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The successful operation once again demonstrates the effectiveness of intelligence-driven operations in protecting civilians and frustrating terrorist activities. The Joint Task Force remains resolute in sustaining aggressive operations to eliminate the remnants of terrorist groups while ensuring the security of communities and major lines of communication across the North East theatre.

In a related development, troops of Operation HADIN KAI have continued to sustain pressure on terrorists through a series of intelligence-led operations that resulted in the arrest of suspected terrorist collaborators, the surrender of the family members of a senior ISWAP commander, and the recovery of terrorist logistics items.

In one of the operations conducted on 27 July 2026, troops of 5 Brigade arrested six suspected ISWAP collaborators in Damasak, Borno State. Preliminary investigations revealed that the suspects were allegedly generating funds for the terrorist group through the procurement and sale of cattle at designated markets in Gubio, Damasak and Ajuwango. Items recovered from the suspects included one Volkswagen Golf vehicle, vehicle keys, four mobile phones of different brands, cow meat and the sum of N317,950. The suspects are currently in military custody and undergoing further investigation.

Similarly, on 29 July 2026, the wife of an ISWAP Chief Finance Operative and her 11-year-old son surrendered to troops of 3 Battalion through Kusuma Village. Preliminary investigations revealed that her husband, a senior ISWAP commander who reportedly served as the group’s Chief Finance Officer in Jubillaram and surrendered on 25 July 2026, had instructed her to surrender with their son following his successful escape from the enclave. Both individuals have been screened and are currently undergoing further profiling in line with established procedures.

In another operation, troops of 145 Battalion, acting on credible intelligence, conducted a clearance operation at Turoh. On sighting the advancing troops, the terrorists fled in disarray. During the subsequent exploitation of the area, troops recovered two motorcycles and large quantities of illicit hard drugs abandoned by the fleeing terrorists.

Operation HADIN KAI reassured the public that troops will continue to intensify intelligence-driven and offensive operations aimed at dismantling terrorist logistics and financial networks, while encouraging willing terrorist members and their families to surrender. The military also urged members of the public to continue providing credible and timely information to support ongoing operations aimed at restoring lasting peace, security and stability across the theatre.

Linus Aleke