Troops of Operation Hadin Kai (OPHK), Joint Task Force North East, have rescued 86 kidnapped civilians and apprehended 29 individuals suspected of supplying logistics to Boko Haram and ISWAP terrorists, the military confirmed on Monday.

Lieutenant Colonel Sani Uba, Media Information Officer of OPHK, said the 135 Special Forces Battalion, under Sector 2 OPHK, intercepted terrorists on November 9, 2025, at Dutse Kura after receiving intelligence on abductions and vehicle theft along the Buratai–Kamuya Road.

The troops pursued the terrorists toward Mangari, defeating them in a follow-up encounter and forcing the insurgents to flee. Eleven makeshift terrorist structures were discovered, and the abducted men, women, and children were freed.

Recovered items included an AK-47 rifle, five magazines with 73 rounds, four PKT ammunition belts, five civilian vehicles, five motorcycles, eight bicycles, and two logistics tricycles. The terrorists’ camp was destroyed in the process.

In a simultaneous operation at Mangada, troops apprehended 29 terrorist logistics suppliers transporting fuel, foodstuffs, medical supplies, and military equipment toward Chilaria.

Among the recovered items were two pickup vans, a tricycle with about 1,000 litres of petrol, four gallons of engine oil, gun truck tyres, and other provisions.

Lieutenant Colonel Uba said, “All operations were conducted successfully with no casualties on the part of our troops.” The Military High Command commended the soldiers’ professionalism and charged OPHK to continue denying terrorists freedom of action across the North East.