Troops of Operation HADIN KAI have rescued 53 civilians and recovered eight vehicles after dismantling a suspected roadblock mounted by terrorists believed to be members of the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) and Jama’atu Ahlis Sunna Lidda’awati wal-Jihad (JAS) along the Buratai–Kamuya road in Biu Local Government Area of Borno State.
The successful operation, which underscored the military’s continued offensive against insurgents in the North-East, was carried out on Wednesday, June 24, following swift intelligence gathering and rapid deployment by troops stationed in the area.
The Nigerian Army disclosed the development in a statement posted on its official X handle on Friday. The statement was signed by the Acting Military Information Officer, Headquarters Joint Task Force North East Operation HADIN KAI, Capt. Mohammed Goni.
According to the military, the operation was launched after troops deployed at Dutse Kura detected suspicious movements through surveillance cameras, revealing that heavily armed insurgents had established an illegal roadblock on the busy highway to intercept travellers.
The terrorists were reportedly stopping vehicles and civilians along the Buratai–Kamuya route, creating fear among motorists and disrupting movement within the area.
The statement explained that upon receiving the intelligence, a Quick Reaction Force (QRF) was immediately mobilised to confront the insurgents before they could inflict harm on innocent road users.
“The encounter took place when troops deployed at Dutse Kura sighted terrorists blocking the highway through surveillance cameras.
“A Quick Reaction Force (QRF) team immediately mobilized to the scene and pursued the insurgents toward the Mangari–Dora general area, made contact and engaged the terrorists in a firefight, forcing them to withdraw in confusion.
“During the operation, troops successfully rescued 53 innocent civilians and also recovered eight vehicles seized by the terrorists,” the statement read.
Military authorities said the insurgents were unable to withstand the superior firepower of the troops and retreated into nearby bushes after the fierce exchange of gunfire.
The prompt intervention prevented what could have become a major attack on commuters using the strategic road and ensured the safe evacuation of dozens of civilians who had been trapped during the incident.
The eight vehicles recovered during the operation were reportedly among those forcefully seized by the terrorists while carrying out their illegal blockade.
Security personnel subsequently secured the route and escorted stranded motorists to safety, restoring normal vehicular movement along the highway.
The Nigerian Army described the operation as another demonstration of the effectiveness of intelligence-led military operations and the increasing deployment of surveillance technology to monitor terrorist activities across the North-East.
It noted that the use of surveillance cameras enabled troops to detect the insurgents’ activities in real time, allowing commanders to deploy forces swiftly and prevent further attacks.
Operation HADIN KAI has continued to intensify clearance operations across Borno and other parts of the North-East in a bid to dismantle terrorist enclaves, secure major highways and protect communities from attacks by insurgent groups.
The military reaffirmed its commitment to sustaining offensive operations against ISWAP and JAS terrorists while working to ensure the safety of residents and travellers across the region.
It also urged members of the public to continue providing credible and timely information on suspicious movements and activities to security agencies, stressing that community cooperation remains vital to ongoing counter-insurgency operations.
The latest operation adds to a series of recent military offensives aimed at denying terrorists freedom of movement, protecting civilians and restoring lasting peace in communities affected by insurgency in Nigeria’s North-East.
