Troops of Operation Hadin Kai (OPHK) have rescued 74 members of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) from what could have been a mass abduction by terrorists along the Buratai–Kamuya road in Borno State.
The military said the corps members, made up of 36 males and 38 females, were travelling in three buses when the vehicles broke down near a known kidnapping hotspot around 9:05 p.m. on Tuesday.
According to the Media Information Officer of OPHK, Lt.-Col. Sani Uba, the troops moved swiftly after a CCTV surveillance system monitored by the military detected suspicious activity in the area.
“On arrival, the troops discovered that the passengers were NYSC members who had been stranded after their vehicles developed mechanical faults.
“The troops immediately secured the area and rescued them from a likely abduction attempt by Boko Haram or ISWAP terrorists operating in that axis,” Uba said.
He said the rescued corps members were evacuated to the Buratai military base for protection while arrangements were made for their onward journey to their destinations.
Lt.-Col. Uba noted that the Theatre Commander, Maj.-Gen. Abdulsalam Abubakar, commended the troops for their vigilance and swift response, stressing that their timely intervention averted another tragedy.
“The Theatre Commander reiterated the commitment of the Nigerian military to ensuring the safety of all citizens and maintaining security across the North East region,” he added.
The military emphasised that the successful operation underscores the effectiveness of real-time surveillance systems in curbing terrorist activities in volatile regions such as Borno.
The latest rescue came just 72 hours after troops of OPHK rescued 86 kidnap victims and arrested 29 suspects allegedly involved in supplying logistics to terrorists.
About the Author
