Troops Repel Terrorist Attacks, Rescue Civilians in North-East — OPHK
By: Zagazola Makama
The Joint Task Force (North-East), Operation HADIN KAI (OPHK), says its troops have recorded major operational successes against Boko Haram and ISWAP terrorists, including the rescue of abducted civilians, arrest of suspected collaborators and the recovery of arms and logistics supplies.
The force disclosed this in a statement issued on Saturday by its Acting Media Information Officer, Lt.-Col. Haruna Sani.
According to the statement, troops conducted a series of offensive and security operations across the North-East between June 11 and June 12, leading to the disruption of terrorist activities and logistics networks.
Sani said troops of Sector 2 rescued three abducted children during fighting and perimeter clearance patrols around the Amuda general area on June 11.
The children were identified as Ali Usman, 15, Umar Ibrahim Abubakar, 15, and Fatima Abubakar, 12.
“Preliminary investigations revealed that the children escaped from terrorist enclaves at Saha and Chinene in the Mandara Mountains following sustained military offensives against insurgent strongholds,” he said.
He added that after profiling and documentation, the rescued children were reunited with community leaders in Ngoshe.
The spokesman also disclosed that troops of Sector 3 rescued six civilians on June 12 after responding to a kidnapping attempt by terrorists along the Damasak–Gubio Main Supply Route near Kareto.
According to him, the terrorists abandoned the victims and fled following aggressive pursuit by the troops.
Sani further stated that troops of 68 Battalion at Mallam Fatori thwarted an attempted reconnaissance mission by suspected ISWAP operatives and recovered an AK-47 rifle with a loaded magazine containing 31 rounds of ammunition.
He said troops operating at Check Point 61 also intercepted 11 suspects travelling in two civilian vehicles under suspicious circumstances.
“Preliminary investigations linked the suspects to attempts to recover vehicles belonging to known terrorist logistics collaborators previously sighted supporting insurgent activities around Ali Sheriffti,” he said.
In a related development, troops arrested a suspected terrorist logistics courier, Malahi Liman Muhammad, along the Mandaragirau–Sabon Gari axis.
Items recovered from the suspect included herbicides, blankets, salt, food items, mobile phones and other materials believed to be intended for terrorist logistics support.
Sani said the suspects were currently undergoing further investigation.
The military spokesman also revealed that troops of Sector 1 repelled a coordinated attack launched by heavily armed Boko Haram/ISWAP fighters on June 12 at the COP Bridge location.
He said the terrorists attacked from the Wurge, Manawaji and Kinuba axes using four gun trucks and several motorcycles.
According to him, the attack was successfully repelled through the combined efforts of ground troops supported by artillery and mortar fire.
“The terrorists were forced to retreat in disarray, abandoning several items during their withdrawal,” he said.
He listed items recovered after exploitation of the area to include three Rocket-Propelled Grenade launchers, seven High-Explosive Anti-Tank rounds and other unexploded ordnance.
Sani said blood trails and other signs observed along the terrorists’ withdrawal routes suggested that several of the attackers sustained casualties during the encounter.
He, however, disclosed that one soldier was injured by fragments from a rocket-propelled grenade and was receiving medical treatment.
The spokesman said the successes demonstrated the effectiveness of ongoing intelligence-driven operations aimed at dismantling terrorist networks, disrupting logistics chains and protecting civilians across the North-East.
He commended the troops for their courage, professionalism and commitment to duty, assuring residents that Operation HADIN KAI remained focused on restoring lasting peace and security in the region.
