The rescued NYSC members in Borno State
Troops of Operation Hadin Kai (OPHK) have successfully rescued 74 members of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) from what could have been a major abduction by insurgents along the Buratai–Kamuya road in Borno State.
The incident occurred on Tuesday night when the corps members’ convoy, consisting of three buses, broke down around 9:05 p.m. near a known kidnapping hotspot.
According to a statement released on Thursday by the Media Information Officer of OPHK, Lt.-Col. Sani Uba, the corps members—36 males and 38 females—were left stranded when their vehicles developed mechanical faults.
Lt.-Col. Uba explained that a closed-circuit television (CCTV) surveillance system operated by the military detected suspicious movements around the area, prompting troops to be dispatched immediately.
> “On arrival, the troops discovered that the passengers were NYSC members who had been stranded after their vehicles developed mechanical faults,” Uba said. “The troops immediately secured the area and rescued them from a likely abduction attempt by Boko Haram or ISWAP terrorists operating in that axis.”
He added that the troops quickly evacuated the corps members to the Buratai military base for safety, pending further arrangements for their onward journey to their various destinations.
The Theatre Commander of OPHK, Maj.-Gen. Abdulsalam Abubakar, commended the soldiers for their swift and decisive action, noting that their vigilance prevented what could have been another national tragedy.
> “The Theatre Commander reiterated the commitment of the Nigerian military to ensuring the safety of all citizens and maintaining security across the North East region,” the statement added.
This latest rescue comes against the backdrop of several unfortunate incidents involving NYSC members being targeted by criminal groups while travelling to or from their states of primary assignment. In past years, reports of corps members abducted on highways in Zamfara, Rivers, and Kogi States have sparked national outrage and renewed calls for improved transportation security.
Security experts have long warned that corps members remain vulnerable, particularly in conflict-prone regions where insurgent groups such as Boko Haram and the Islamic State of West Africa Province (ISWAP) are still active.
The military’s timely intervention along the Buratai–Kamuya axis highlights the ongoing challenges of ensuring safe passage for civilians in Borno and other parts of the North East, as well as the importance of continued vigilance by both security agencies and travellers.
With this operation, troops of Operation Hadin Kai have once again demonstrated their commitment to protecting Nigerians and thwarting insurgent threats before they escalate into tragedy.
