Army Rescues Abducted Councillor, Islamic Scholar in Borno; Search Ongoing for Five Others

Troops of the Nigerian Army under Operation Hadin Kai have rescued a serving councillor and an Islamic scholar who were abducted by terrorists along the Buni Gari–Buratai road in Borno State.

The successful rescue followed a swift search-and-rescue operation carried out by troops of the 27 Task Force Brigade in collaboration with the 135 Special Forces Battalion and members of the Civilian Joint Task Force (CJTF).

Security sources said seven civilians were abducted at about 5:00 p.m. on Tuesday along the Buni Gari–Buratai axis. In response, troops launched a rescue operation at approximately 7:35 a.m. on Wednesday.

“At about 11:35 a.m. on Wednesday, troops discovered two of the kidnapped victims who had been abandoned by the terrorists after they heard the movement of troops toward their location ahead of Mangari village,” a security source disclosed.

The rescued victims were identified as Alhaji Mohammed Ali Maiakachi, a serving councillor representing Zera/Wuyep Ward in Biu Local Government Area, and Mallam Aliyu Yusuf, an Islamic scholar and Chairman of Shuaaraul Islam in Borno State.

Troops pursued the fleeing terrorists for about 5.4 kilometres, but no contact was made.

According to the rescued victims, five other civilians remain in captivity, including the immediate past and current vice chairmen of Biu Local Government Area, as well as three women.

Efforts to rescue the remaining abductees are ongoing, the source added.

The freed victims were first taken to a medical reception station for treatment before being moved to Biu, where they were reunited with their families.