In a significant victory against terrorism, Nigerian military forces have successfully rescued dozens of kidnapped victims and disrupted terrorist supply chains in Borno State.
Major Counter-Terrorism Operation in Borno
Troops from the 135 Special Forces Battalion under Sector 2 of Operation Hadin Kai (OPHK) conducted a decisive operation that led to the liberation of 86 kidnapped civilians. The rescued victims included men, women, and children who had been abducted by terrorist elements in the region.
The military operation, which took place on November 9, 2025, followed an encounter with Boko Haram and ISWAP fighters at Dutse Kura. According to Lieutenant Colonel Sani Uba, spokesman for the Joint Task Force in the North East, the troops received intelligence about terrorists abducting civilians and vehicles along the Buratai-Kamuya Road.
Terrorist Networks Disrupted
During the well-executed mission, the troops arrested 29 logistics suppliers who were providing crucial support to terrorist operations. The military also destroyed 11 insurgent camps, significantly degrading the terrorists' operational capabilities in the area.
The troops demonstrated exceptional professionalism by repelling the initial attack and pursuing the terrorists toward Mangari. In a follow-up engagement near one of the terrorist camps, the military forces engaged the fighters, forcing them to flee and abandon their positions.
Significant Weapons and Supplies Recovered
The operation yielded substantial recoveries that underscore the scale of terrorist operations in the region. Among the items seized were:
- One AK-47 rifle with five magazines containing 73 rounds
- Four PKT ammunition belts
- Five civilian vehicles and five motorcycles
- Eight bicycles and two logistics tricycles
From the arrested logistics suppliers, security forces recovered even more concerning materials, including:
- Two pickup vans and a tricycle loaded with Premium Motor Spirit (PMS)
- Approximately 1,000 litres of petrol in jerrycans
- Four gallons of engine oil and two new gun truck tyres
- A large cache of medical consumables
- Significant quantities of food items and provisions
Military Success and Electoral Incident Clarification
Remarkably, all operations were conducted successfully with no casualties among the troops. The Military High Command commended the gallantry and professionalism displayed by the soldiers and charged Operation Hadin Kai to sustain operations to deny terrorists freedom of action across the North East.
In a separate development, the 82 Division of the Nigerian Army in Enugu clarified a viral social media video that suggested army involvement in electoral activities. Lieutenant Colonel Olabisi Ayeni, Acting Deputy Director of Army Public Relations, explained that the incident on November 8 in Awka, Anambra State, involved troops responding to a distress call from NYSC officials.
The military personnel were deployed to rescue corps members and INEC staff who were being held hostage by suspected political thugs following the unexplained disappearance of a collation officer. Despite facing a highly charged atmosphere that included the Deputy Governor of Anambra State questioning their presence, the troops remained professional and successfully rescued the electoral officials.
The Nigerian Army reiterated its commitment to neutrality, professionalism, and the protection of democratic institutions, urging the public to disregard false narratives and continue supporting security agencies in safeguarding peace and order during elections.
