Troops Rescue Abducted Herdsman After Artillery Bombardment in Borno

By: Zagazola Makama 

Troops of 192 Battalion under Operation HADIN KAI have rescued a 20-year-old herdsman abducted by suspected Boko Haram/ISWAP terrorists in the Mandara Mountains area of Borno State.

Security sources disclosed that the victim, identified as Dahiru Ahamdu, was rescued at about 8:45 a.m. on Thursday during a perimeter and fighting patrol around Uvaha, a deserted village along the Gwoza-Limankara road.

According to the sources, the victim was found by troops after reportedly escaping from his abductors following artillery bombardments on a terrorist enclave.

The sources said the bombardment struck the camp, killing two terrorists and causing panic and confusion among the insurgents.

“Preliminary findings revealed that the victim escaped during the confusion that followed the artillery strikes on the terrorist camp,” the sources said.

The rescued victim reportedly told troops that he was abducted by Boko Haram/ISWAP terrorists on May 8 while grazing cattle at Bororo, a deserted community in Madagali Local Government Area of Adamawa.

He added that he was subsequently taken to a terrorist enclave located within the Mandara Mountains.

The sources said the victim was taken to the 26 Task Force Brigade Field Ambulance for medical examination before being reunited with his family through the Sarkin Fulani of Gwoza town.

Security operatives noted that the operation formed part of ongoing offensives aimed at dismantling terrorist enclaves and rescuing kidnapped victims across the North-East.

They added that the general security situation across the theatre remained calm but unpredictable.