Troops under Operation Hadin Kai (OPHK) in the North East have neutralised several terrorists and rescued three children.

The Media Information Officer of OPHK, Lieutenant Colonel Sani Uba, who disclosed in a statement on Saturday, said the operation was conducted on Friday, February 20.

He said the troops, while on a fighting patrol, engaged suspected Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) fighters near Sabsawa village in Borno State. The troops responded with what he described as “overwhelming” firepower, forcing the terrorists to flee in disarray and killing five of them in the encounter.

“Similarly, troops of OPHK under Sector 1, deployed at Ngurosoye, rescued three abducted children — Abba Abba, 12; Fatima Abba, 8; and Aisha Abba, 6 — during a perimeter patrol in Bama Local Government Area of Borno State,” Uba said.

The OPHK spokesperson explained that preliminary investigations revealed the victims were abducted about two months ago along the Gubio axis of Borno State by suspected terrorists before being moved to Bula-Daloye.

“The children have been handed over to the Nigeria Police for further necessary action,” he said.

Uba added that an 18-year-old terrorist suspect, Abubakar Abubakar, surrendered to troops in Geidam, Yobe State. He said the suspect is currently in custody and undergoing profiling.

“Across other sectors of OPHK, troops in aggressive posture conducted offensive operations in collaboration with hybrid forces, vigilantes, and hunters to deny terrorists freedom of action.

“All operations were largely hitch-free, while ongoing exploitation and monitoring continued across the theatre,” he said. (The Nation)