Troops of Joint Task Force (North-East) under Operation HADIN KAI have rescued two abductees and recovered items, including N1.2 million suspected to be ransom, during a search-and-rescue operation in Askira/Uba Local Government Area of Borno.
Sources said that the operation was carried out by troops of the 115 Task Force Battalion in conjunction with members of the Civilian Joint Task Force (CJTF) on Tuesday at Gwugumdi village in the Mussa area.
The sources said the troops encountered suspected terrorists hiding around Dutse Mopo during the operation, leading to an exchange that forced the insurgents to flee.
According to the sources, two abductees identified as Saleh Aliyu, 15, and Mrs Dija Aliyu, 35, both from Dubunkwa Mussa in Askira/Uba Local Government Area, were rescued unhurt.
Items recovered at the scene included 10 packs of spaghetti, 10 packs of Viva detergent, cooking utensils, airtime vouchers valued at N25,000 and N1.2 million in cash, believed to be proceeds of ransom paid by victims’ families.
The military sources added that exploitation of the area and search-and-rescue operations were continuing to track fleeing terrorists and locate other possible victims.
They reaffirmed the commitment of Operation HADIN KAI to sustaining offensive operations aimed at dismantling terrorist hideouts and restoring normalcy across the North-East.
