Troops rescue 119 civilians, recover eight vehicles from terrorists

Troops of the Nigerian Army have rescued 119 civilians, including women and children, after engaging terrorists who blocked a major road and abducted travellers in Borno State.

The operation also led to the recovery of eight vehicles abandoned by the terrorists during their escape.

This was disclosed in a post on X by Zagazola Makama, a counter-insurgency and security expert in the Lake Chad region.

According to security sources cited by Makama, the operation was carried out at about 3:45 p.m. on November 6, 2026, by troops of the 135 Special Forces Battalion, 27 Task Force Brigade, Sector 2, during a surveillance mission along the Dutsen Kura–Bulazarma–Kamuya road.

The troops reportedly sighted the terrorists blocking the road and abducting travellers alongside their vehicles, prompting the deployment of the battalion’s Special Forces Quick Reaction Force and another team from the 27 Task Force Brigade headquarters.

The two teams advanced through the Mangari–Dora route, pursued and engaged the terrorists, forcing them to abandon the abducted civilians and vehicles.

The operation resulted in the rescue of 119 civilians comprising 69 men, 35 women and 15 children. Eight vehicles were also recovered.

The rescued victims were subsequently reunited with their families.

However, during the withdrawal, the troops discovered an improvised explosive device around the Bam Buratai Junction–Bulazarma general area.

The unit’s Explosive Ordnance Disposal team subsequently marked and secured the location for the safe disposal of the device.