Troops of the Joint Task Force (JTF), North East Operation Hadin Kai, have successfully rescued 74 members of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) from a potential abduction by Boko Haram/ISWAP terrorists along the Buratai–Kamuya road in Borno State.
The incident occurred on Tuesday night after the corps members’ vehicles broke down near a known kidnapping hotspot. The rescue operation took place at about 9:05 p.m., following the swift intervention of troops who were alerted through a Closed-Circuit Television (CCTV) system monitored by military personnel.
According to military sources, the CCTV system detected suspicious movement involving three buses in the area, prompting immediate action by a nearby patrol team.
“On arrival, troops discovered 74 NYSC members—36 males and 38 females—stranded after their vehicles developed mechanical faults. They were swiftly rescued to prevent a likely abduction attempt by Boko Haram or ISWAP elements operating in the area,” a security source revealed.
Reports indicate that the corps members had earlier been escorted by troops of the 7 Division Garrison from Maiduguri to Damaturu. However, after reaching Damaturu, they proceeded on their own to Hawul Local Government Area without notifying Sector 2 Headquarters or obtaining a renewed armed escort.
It was also gathered that the group was on an evangelical mission to Hawul when the incident occurred.
Following their rescue, the corps members were taken to the Buratai military base, where they are currently being housed pending arrangements for their safe onward journey.
This latest operation adds to a series of recent successes recorded by troops in the North East. Just a few days earlier, the same task force rescued 86 kidnapped victims and apprehended 29 suspected Boko Haram collaborators within the same operational corridor.
What You Should Know
The rescue of 74 NYSC members by Operation Hadin Kai underscores the Nigerian military’s growing efficiency in surveillance and rapid response operations in the North East.
The use of CCTV technology played a critical role in averting what could have been a mass abduction reminiscent of past tragedies involving students and youth corps members. The incident also highlights the continued threat posed by Boko Haram and ISWAP elements in Borno State, despite ongoing counterterrorism efforts.
Authorities have reiterated the importance of coordination and adherence to security protocols for all travelers, particularly in insurgency-prone areas.
