Military intercepts 92 travellers kidnapped by B’Haram on Borno road 

*clarifies allegations over troops’ allowances 

From Timothy Olanrewaju, Maiduguri

Troops of the Joint Task Force Northeast Operation Hadin Kai (OPHK) have intercepted and rescued 92 travellers kidnapped by Boko Haram terrorists along a road in the southern part of Borno State. 

The 92 who were traveling in eight vehicles along Buratai–Kamuya road in Biu Local Government aeea of Borno on Saturaday, ran into an ambush by terrorists at about mid-day.

Spokesman of Operation Hadin Kai, Lt Col Sani Uba announced in a statement yesterday that timely surveillance and alertness of troops in the area halted the terrorists kidnapping train.

“Alert troops of the 135 Special Forces Battalion deployed at Dutse Kura detected BH/ISWAP terrorists forcibly herding civilians and vehicles off the road and into the surrounding bush, using their surveillance system,” he disclosed.

He explained that the military Quick Reaction Force in the area was immediately mobilized to pursue the terrorists. The troops hot chase however forced the terrorists to abandon their captives at Mangari-Dora general area, leading to the freedom of the 92 abductees.

“All 92 kidnapped victims, comprising 52 males, 33 females and 7 children, along with 8 vehicles, were successfully recovered,” Uba disclosed.

He said troop’s also foiled plot by the terrorists to prevent quick response toward rescuing the abducted persons by clearing all Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs) laid on the way.

He described the terrorists’ plot as a desperate bid to delay troops movement and response to the rescue operation.

Boko Haram which has been operating in the area since 2015, is beleived to be behind the failed kidnap attack.

Meanwhile, the task force in another statement yesterday also clarified allegation of victimization and non release of troops allowances.

It said all legitimate allowances due to troops under Operation Hadin Kai, have been paid as at May 2. It listed the allowances as Ration Cash Allowance (RCA) which is usually disbursed to units for centralized feeding of troops, Operational Allowance paid directly into individual accounts, and Habit Allowance  also paid into individual accounts.

It also examined that an additional incentive paid to troops providing security at a critical national asset in Tuba, disbursed only when funds are available. It said the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) was initially responsibility for this allowance.