Troops from the Joint Task Force (JTF) North East Operation HADIN KAI executed a swift nighttime rescue operation on Tuesday, saving 74 National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) members from a vulnerable forested stretch along the Buratai-Kamuya road in Borno State—just as potential Boko Haram insurgents lurked nearby.
The dramatic intervention unfolded around 9:05 p.m. when three buses carrying the corps members—36 males and 38 females—broke down at the notorious Borko Haram crossing point, a dense woodland area long plagued by terrorist ambushes.
Vigilant JTF surveillance detected the unusual activity via closed-circuit television (CCTV) cameras, triggering an immediate deployment of a heavily armed patrol team. Upon arrival, the soldiers secured the perimeter and evacuated all 74 individuals without incident, thwarting what preliminary reports suggest could have escalated into a mass abduction.
Escort Lapse Exposed Amid Heightened Risks
Investigations revealed the group had been safely escorted from Maiduguri to Damaturu by troops of the 7 Division Nigerian Army Garrison. However, upon reaching Damaturu, the corps members pressed on toward Hawul Local Government Area without alerting Sector 2 Headquarters or securing fresh armed escorts—a critical oversight in a region where Boko Haram remnants frequently target travelers on isolated routes.
The rescued youth, many of whom were en route to their Primary Assignment Posting (PAP) locations, have been relocated to the fortified Buratai Military Base for temporary accommodation and debriefing. Arrangements are underway for their secure onward travel.
Army Reaffirms Commitment, Urges Public Vigilance
In a statement, the JTF hailed the operation as a testament to its “unwavering resolve” to protect civilians. “The Nigerian Army remains committed to safeguarding lives and property across the North East,” it read. “We will sustain a robust security footprint to deny terrorists operational freedom and foster enduring peace.”
The military urged the public to prioritize collaboration: “Report suspicious movements promptly and adhere to escort protocols on high-risk corridors. Your cooperation fuels our success.”
This rescue underscores the fragile security landscape in Borno, where the JTF’s tech-enhanced monitoring—bolstered by CCTV networks and rapid-response units—has increasingly foiled insurgent plots since the 2021 resurgence of attacks. With over 200,000 NYSC participants deployed annually, such lapses highlight the need for stricter travel advisories and mandatory security briefings for corps members in conflict zones.
As the dry season approaches—a period historically rife with heightened militant activity—the incident serves as a stark reminder of the ongoing battle to reclaim Nigeria’s North East from extremism.
