Troops of the Nigerian Army under Operation Hadin Kai have rescued a serving councillor from Biu Local Government Area and an Islamic cleric who were abducted by suspected terrorists in Borno State.
The development was contained in a post shared on X on Thursday by security analyst, Zagazola Makama.
According to the post, the victims were kidnapped along the Buni Gari–Buratai road on Tuesday evening when armed men abducted seven civilians travelling on the route.
Makama reported that troops of the 27 Task Force Brigade, working with the 135 Special Forces Battalion and members of the Civilian Joint Task Force (CJTF), launched a search-and-rescue operation early Wednesday morning after receiving information about the abduction.
During the operation, the troops discovered two of the kidnapped victims who had been abandoned by the terrorists near Mangari village after the assailants noticed the movement of security forces towards their location.
The rescued victims were identified as Alhaji Mohammed Ali Maiakachi, a 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.
The troops were said to have pursued the fleeing terrorists for several kilometres, but no contact was made.
According to information provided by the rescued victims, five other civilians are still being held captive.
“Those still in captivity reportedly include the immediate past and current Vice Chairmen of Biu Local Government Area, as well as three women,” Makama wrote.
The rescued victims were taken to a medical facility for treatment before being moved to Biu, where they were reunited with their families.
Makama added that efforts by the military and other security operatives to rescue the remaining abducted persons are ongoing.
Troops rescue abducted Biu councillor, Islamic cleric in Borno