Troops of the Joint Task Force (North East), Operation HADIN KAI, have rescued 92 kidnapped passengers from Boko Haram/ISWAP terrorists along the Biu-Buratai-Kamuya-Damaturu road in Borno State.
The military also dismissed claims circulating in a viral social media video alleging non-payment of allowances to troops and victimisation of a soldier in the North-East theatre of operations.
The development was disclosed in a statement issued on Sunday by the Media Information Officer, Headquarters Joint Task Force North East Operation HADIN KAI, Lt. Col. Sani Uba.
According to the statement, the rescue operation took place on Saturday at about 11:22 am in the Biu Local Government Area axis of Borno State.
Uba said troops of the 135 Special Forces Battalion deployed at Dutse Kura detected terrorists “forcibly herding civilians and vehicles off the road and into the surrounding bush” through surveillance operations.
He said, “The unit’s Quick Reaction Force was immediately mobilised, while reinforcement troops from 27 Task Force Brigade Garrison were simultaneously activated to join the rescue.
“Converging on the terrorists in a well-coordinated pursuit towards the Mangari-Dora general area, OPHK troops engaged the insurgents and forced them to abandon their captives and flee in confusion.”
The military spokesman disclosed that all 92 victims, made up of 52 men, 33 women and seven children, were rescued alongside eight vehicles.
He added that the fleeing terrorists attempted to slow down advancing troops by planting three Improvised Explosive Devices, IEDs, around the Bula Zarma and Mangari axis.
“In a desperate bid to delay the advancing troops, the fleeing terrorists covertly emplaced three IEDs along the Bula Zarma, Mangari general area in a calculated ambush attempt.
“The plot failed completely. The unit’s Explosive Ordnance Disposal team responded with precision and successfully detonated all three devices, clearing the route and enabling troops to press the pursuit approximately five kilometres beyond the Mangari general area,” he stated.
Uba noted that troops recorded no casualties during the operation.
“OPHK troops sustained zero personnel or equipment casualties throughout the operation. The rescued civilians were consolidated, provided immediate welfare support and escorted by troops all the way to Damaturu, where they were released to continue their journey,” he said.
He added that the operation demonstrated the military’s readiness to tackle terrorism in the North-East.
“This operation once again affirms the operational reach, surveillance capability and combat readiness of OPHK and serves as an unambiguous message that any attempt by terrorists to harm, kidnap or intimidate civilians will be met with swift and overwhelming force across the entirety of the North East Theatre,” Uba added.
Meanwhile, the military authorities dismissed allegations in a viral video claiming troops had not been paid allowances and that a soldier was punished for raising concerns.
“The Theatre Command categorically states that the claims contained in the video are false, misleading, and a deliberate attempt to misinform the public and discredit the military command structure,” Uba said.
He clarified that the money referenced in the video was not operational allowance.
“It is important to emphasize that all legitimate allowances due to troops under Operation HADIN KAI have been paid up to date as of May 2026, with no outstanding issues.
“These include the Ration Cash Allowance, RCA, disbursed to units for centralized feeding of troops, Operational Allowance paid directly into individual accounts, and Habit Allowance also paid into individual accounts,” he explained.
According to him, the complaint in the video related to an additional incentive paid to personnel guarding a national asset in Tuba, which is only disbursed when funds are available.
“The Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation, NNPC, initially assumed responsibility for this allowance, while the Borno State Government maintained a separate payment plan for the Police and Volunteer Forces.
“However, when NNPC ceased exploration, payments to troops were discontinued. Consequently, the Borno State Government graciously took over responsibility and effort is ongoing to incorporate the payment of troops into the same plan for the Police and Volunteer Forces,” he said.
Uba further stated that the allegation of intimidation against the soldier was baseless.
“The allegation that the soldier was intimidated or punished is entirely unfounded. The Nigerian Army remains steadfast in its commitment to the welfare and fair treatment of its personnel,” he said.
He alleged that preliminary findings showed the video was produced by “a mischievous content creator known for publishing material based on information from a few disgruntled individuals.”
“The Theatre Command regards this act as unpatriotic and a deliberate attempt to tarnish the image of the Armed Forces,” he added.
The spokesman warned against spreading unverified information on military operations, saying such actions could affect troop morale and national security.
“Operation HADIN KAI remains unwavering in its mandate to restore peace, security, and economic stability in the North-East region, while consistently upholding the highest standards of professionalism, discipline, and accountability,” Uba concluded.
