Borno State Governor, Babagana Zulum, has commended the Nigerian military, particularly troops of Operation HADIN KAI, for the successful rescue of 360 abductees from the Mandara Mountains, a notorious terrorist enclave in the southern part of the state.
Zulum, in a statement released on Sunday by his Special Adviser on Media, Dauda Iliya, described the operation as a remarkable demonstration of courage, professionalism, and the growing effectiveness of intelligence-led military operations in the fight against insurgency in the North-East.
The governor noted that the mission, which led to the safe recovery of hundreds of men, women, and children held captive by terrorists, has renewed hope among affected communities and reaffirmed the commitment of the Federal Government, the Nigerian military, and the Borno State Government to safeguarding lives and restoring lasting peace in the region.
He said: “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.
“Their gallantry, professionalism, and sacrifice have once again demonstrated the unwavering commitment of our Armed Forces to protecting innocent citizens.”
The governor also commended members of local communities for their support, understanding, and cooperation, which he said contributed to the success of the operation.
“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,” he stated.
He reaffirmed the Borno State Government’s commitment to continue supporting the military and other security agencies through logistics support to sustain their momentum in counter-insurgency and counter-terrorism operations.
Zulum further urged residents of Mussa in Askira-Uba Local Government Area to continue to keep hope alive, noting that the government remains committed to securing the release of the abducted schoolchildren.
He urged people of the state to remain vigilant, cooperate with security agencies, and continue providing credible information to assist ongoing operations aimed at eliminating criminal activities across the state.
It will be recalled that on March 4, Online reported that the group attacked a military base in Ngoshe, burning operational vehicles, dispersing security forces, killing an unspecified number of people, and abducting several others.