By Nkechi Eze
Troops of the Joint Task Force (JTF), North East Operation Hadin Kai, have rescued 74 members of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) from a possible abduction attempt by Boko Haram and Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) terrorists along the Buratai–Kamuya road in Borno State.
According to an official statement by the Media Information Officer of Operation Hadin Kai, Lieutenant Colonel Sani Uba, the corps members comprising 36 males and 38 females were rescued at about 9:05 p.m. on Tuesday after their vehicles broke down near a known kidnapping hotspot.
He explained that a military patrol team was swiftly dispatched to the scene after troops monitoring the area through a closed-circuit television (CCTV) system detected suspicious movement involving three buses at the location.
“On arrival, troops discovered 74 NYSC members stranded after their vehicles developed mechanical faults. The troops immediately rescued them to prevent a likely abduction attempt by Boko Haram or ISWAP elements operating in the area,” the statement noted.
The rescued corps members have since been moved to the Buratai military base, where they are being accommodated pending further arrangements for their safe movement to their destinations.
The operation underscores the military’s proactive surveillance and rapid response capabilities in protecting civilians and neutralising threats across the North East, as troops continue to dominate the theatre with intensified patrols and intelligence-driven operations.
