The Nigerian military has rescued six kidnapped persons, including two infants, during an ongoing counterterrorism operation in Borno State, reinforcing efforts to dismantle terrorist networks and secure the release of civilians held captive by insurgents across the North-East.
The victims, comprising four adults and two infants, were rescued at Talakawa in Chibok Local Government Area following sustained air and ground search and rescue operations conducted by troops of Operation HADIN KAI. Military authorities said the operation was driven by credible intelligence that enabled troops to track the movement of the terrorists and locate the abducted victims.
According to the military, the rescued victims were abducted in May from Mussa community in Askira/Uba Local Government Area of Borno State.
Following their rescue, they were immediately evacuated to a secure location, where they are undergoing comprehensive medical examinations and receiving appropriate healthcare to aid their recovery after spending weeks in captivity.
The military also disclosed that the rescued persons have been provided with relief materials and other essential items to ease the hardship they endured while in captivity. Arrangements are equally being made to reunite them safely with their families after the completion of medical assessments and other necessary procedures.
The latest rescue comes as troops intensify search and rescue operations aimed at recovering all abducted persons in the region, including students of Government Day Secondary School, Lassa.
The military said the successful operation underscores the growing effectiveness of coordinated efforts involving the Armed Forces of Nigeria, the Borno State Government, other security agencies and auxiliary forces working together to combat terrorism and rescue victims.
As part of the ongoing offensive, troops have continued to pursue fleeing terrorists, maintaining sustained pressure on their withdrawal routes to prevent them from regrouping or launching fresh attacks. The military noted that the aggressive operations have significantly disrupted the activities of insurgent groups operating within the theatre.
During the exploitation of the terrorists’ withdrawal axis, troops recovered 50 rounds of PKT ammunition abandoned by the fleeing insurgents. Military authorities described the recovery as further evidence of the sustained pressure being mounted on terrorist elements, noting that the insurgents were forced to retreat in disarray under the weight of the military offensive.
The military reaffirmed that troops remain committed to sustaining the momentum of ongoing operations until every abducted person is safely rescued and terrorist activities are decisively degraded across the North-East.
It assured residents that search and rescue operations would continue with renewed determination, stressing that no effort would be spared in ensuring the safe recovery of those still in captivity.
The Theatre Command also appealed to members of the public to remain vigilant and support security agencies by reporting suspicious movements and activities within their communities. It noted that timely and credible intelligence from residents continues to play a vital role in the success of military operations across the region.
The military further urged citizens to disregard unverified information capable of causing unnecessary panic or undermining ongoing security operations, advising the public to rely only on credible and official sources for updates on military activities.
Operation HADIN KAI reiterated its commitment to protecting lives and property, defeating terrorism and restoring lasting peace and stability across the North-East. It maintained that the Armed Forces would continue to sustain pressure on terrorist groups while working tirelessly to ensure that all remaining abducted victims regain their freedom.
The development was disclosed in a statement issued on Friday by the Acting Military Information Officer, Headquarters Joint Task Force (North East), Operation HADIN KAI, Captain Mohammed Goni, in Maiduguri. Visit www.jocomms.com for more news.
