Troops of Operation HADIN KAI have rescued 53 civilians and recovered eight vehicles after dismantling a suspected ISWAP/Boko Haram roadblock along the Buratai–Kamuya Road in Biu Local Government Area of Borno State.

The Nigerian Army disclosed this in a statement posted on its X handle on Friday by the Acting Military Information Officer, Headquarters Joint Task Force North East Operation HADIN KAI, Capt. Mohammed Goni.

According to the statement, the operation was carried out on June 24 after troops stationed at Dutse Kura detected terrorists blocking the highway through surveillance cameras.

A Quick Reaction Force was immediately deployed to the area and pursued the insurgents towards the Mangari–Dora axis, where troops engaged them in a gun battle, forcing the terrorists to retreat.

During the operation, the troops rescued 53 civilians and recovered eight vehicles that had been seized by the insurgents.

The army said troops also cleared the terrorists’ withdrawal route and conducted further searches, although no additional contact was made.

All rescued civilians, recovered vehicles and other property were evacuated safely to Buratai, while the victims are undergoing documentation and medical evaluation.

The military commended the troops for their swift response and professionalism, urging residents to remain vigilant and continue providing security agencies with timely information on suspicious activities.

Borno State remains the epicentre of Nigeria’s insurgency, which began in 2009 with Boko Haram’s campaign of violence. The latest operation adds to recent successes recorded by Operation HADIN KAI, including the reported killing of 27 terrorists in the Southern and Northern Tumbus areas of the state earlier this month.