Meanwhile, the security forces continue the search for five other captives still in the hands of the assailants.
Troops of the Nigerian Army under Operation Hadin Kai have rescued a serving councillor and an Islamic cleric abducted by terrorists along the Buni Gari–Buratai road in Borno State.
Meanwhile, the security forces continue the search for five other captives still in the hands of the assailants.
The rescued victims were identified as Alhaji Mohammed Ali Ma’ikachi, a councillor representing Zera/Wuyep Ward in Biu Local Government Area, and Mallam Aliyu Yusuf, a respected Islamic scholar and Chairman of Shuaaraul Islam, Borno State.
According to security analyst Zagazola Makama, who shared videos of the victims, the rescue followed a swift search-and-rescue operation carried out by troops of the 27 Task Force Brigade, working in collaboration with the 135 Special Forces Battalion and members of the Civilian Joint Task Force (CJTF).
He disclosed that the operation was launched at about 7:35 a.m. on Wednesday, hours after seven civilians were kidnapped at around 5:00 p.m. on Tuesday while travelling along the volatile Buni Gari–Buratai axis, a route long plagued by insurgent attacks.
According to a military source quoted by Makama, sustained troop movement and pressure forced the terrorists to abandon two of their captives.
“Consequently, at about 11:35 a.m. on Wednesday, troops discovered two of the kidnapped victims who were abandoned by the terrorists upon hearing the movement of troops towards their location ahead of Mangari village,” the source said.
Speaking after his rescue, Councillor Muhammad Ali Ma’ikachi expressed gratitude to the Nigerian Army, attributing his freedom to divine intervention and the prompt response of the troops.
“I seek refuge in Allah from the accursed Satan. In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful. We rely only on Allah and on the Prophet,” he said in the video.
“Yesterday, when the Nigerian Army heard about our abduction, they came and confronted the terrorists. When they confirmed that we were still in captivity, they returned and rescued us. We have nothing to say except may Almighty Allah continue to be with them and protect them against terrorists,” he added.
The rescued cleric, Mallam Aliyu Yusuf, also commended the military for what he described as a timely and courageous intervention that saved their lives.
However, troops have intensified efforts to track down the fleeing terrorists and secure the release of the remaining five abducted civilians.