Troops of Operation HADIN KAI (OPHK) have rescued 86 civilians and destroyed a Boko Haram camp during a counter-insurgency operation in Borno State, the Nigerian Army announced on Sunday.
According to military sources, troops of the 135 Special Forces Battalion under Sector 2 OPHK engaged Boko Haram and Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) fighters on November 9, 2025, at Dutse Kura along the Buratai–Kamuya Road. The encounter followed reports that the terrorists were abducting civilians and seizing vehicles in the area.
The troops reportedly intercepted the attackers, pursued them towards Mangari, and overpowered them in a subsequent clash near a makeshift camp. The insurgents fled, abandoning their captives. A search of the area led to the discovery of 11 temporary terrorist shelters and the rescue of 86 kidnapped victims, including men, women, and children.
Recovered items from the operation included one AK-47 rifle, five magazines loaded with 73 rounds, four PKT ammunition belts, five civilian vehicles, five motorcycles, eight bicycles, and two tricycles used for logistics. The camp was subsequently destroyed.
In a related operation at Mangada, troops arrested 29 suspected terrorist logistics suppliers en route to Chilaria. Items recovered from them included two pickup trucks and a tricycle carrying about 1,000 litres of petrol, engine oil, medical supplies, vehicle tyres, and large quantities of foodstuffs.
The military confirmed that all operations were completed without any troop casualties. The Defence Headquarters commended the soldiers for their professionalism and urged them to sustain the offensive to deny insurgents freedom of movement across the North-East.
