Governor Babagana Zulum of Borno State has praised troops of Operation Hadin Kai for rescuing 360 people who were held captive in the Mandara Mountains, a notorious terrorist hideout in the southern part of the state.
Gatekeepers News reports that according to a statement issued by Haruna Sani, Acting Media Information Officer of Operation Hadin Kai, the rescued victims included men, women, and children who had been abducted from different communities and subjected to harsh conditions while in captivity. The operation has been described as one of the most significant hostage rescue missions conducted in the North-East in recent years.
In a statement released on Sunday by his Special Adviser on Media, Dauda Iliya, Zulum described the rescue as a testament to the bravery, professionalism, and growing success of intelligence-driven military operations against insurgents in the region.
The Governor said the successful operation has strengthened public confidence and reassured affected communities of the commitment of the Federal Government, security agencies, and the Borno State Government to protecting lives and restoring peace across the North-East.
“I wish to express my profound appreciation to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the chief of defence staff, the chief of army staff, the theatre commander of Operation Hadin Kai, officers, and soldiers who participated in this highly successful operation,” the statement read.
“Their gallantry, professionalism, and sacrifice have once again demonstrated the unwavering commitment of our Armed Forces to protecting innocent citizens.”
Zulum also commended residents and community members for their cooperation and support, noting that their contributions played a key role in the success of the rescue effort.
“The rescue of 360 abductees from the Boko Haram stronghold is a significant achievement. It underscores the effectiveness of inter-agency collaboration and the determination of our security forces to ensure that no citizen is abandoned in the hands of insurgents and terrorists,” the statement added.
The Governor reiterated his administration’s commitment to supporting the military and other security agencies with logistics and other resources to sustain ongoing counter-insurgency and counter-terrorism operations.
He further urged residents of Mussa in Askira-Uba Local Government Area to remain hopeful, assuring them that efforts are ongoing to secure the release of schoolchildren still being held by abductors.
