Troops Rescue 74 NYSC Members from Possible Kidnapping in Borno

Troops of the Joint Task Force, North East Operation Hadin Kai, have rescued 74 National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) members from a possible abduction by Boko Haram and ISWAP terrorists along the Buratai–Kamuya road in Borno State.

The incident happened on Tuesday night when the corps members’ buses broke down near an area known for frequent kidnappings. The rescue occurred around 9:05 p.m. after soldiers monitoring a Closed-Circuit Television (CCTV) system noticed unusual movements involving three vehicles in the area.

A patrol team was quickly dispatched to the location, where troops found 74 stranded corps members, including 36 men and 38 women. They were evacuated immediately to prevent any attack by insurgents believed to be operating nearby.

Before the incident, the corps members had been escorted by troops from Maiduguri to Damaturu. However, after reaching Damaturu, they reportedly continued their trip to Hawul Local Government Area without securing approval or an armed escort from Sector 2 Headquarters.

It was later gathered that the corps members were on an evangelical mission to Hawul when their vehicles developed mechanical faults, leaving them vulnerable.

They are currently being housed at the Buratai military base, where the army is arranging for their safe movement to their destination.

The rescue took place just days after the same military unit freed 86 kidnapped victims and arrested 29 suspected Boko Haram collaborators in nearby areas.