Fidelia Soriwei, Abuja
Borno State Governor Babagana Zulum has lauded President Bola Tinubu and the Nigerian military following the rescue of 360 people held captive by terrorists in the Mandara Mountains, a notorious insurgent stronghold in the southern part of the state.
The governor described the operation as a major breakthrough in ongoing counter-insurgency efforts, saying the successful recovery of hundreds of men, women and children demonstrated the growing effectiveness of intelligence-driven military operations in the North-East.
In a statement issued on Sunday by his Special Adviser on Media, Dauda Iliya, Zulum said the rescue had restored hope to affected communities and reinforced confidence in the commitment of the Federal Government and security agencies to protecting lives and restoring peace.
“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 governor said.
“Their gallantry, professionalism, and sacrifice have once again demonstrated the unwavering commitment of our Armed Forces to protecting innocent citizens.”
Zulum also commended local residents for supporting security operations through cooperation and the provision of useful information.
“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.
The governor pledged continued support for the military and other security agencies, noting that the state government would sustain logistical assistance to strengthen ongoing operations against insurgents and other criminal groups.
He also appealed to residents of Mussa in Askira-Uba Local Government Area to remain hopeful, assuring them that efforts were continuing to secure the release of schoolchildren still in captivity.
Zulum further urged residents across the state to remain vigilant and continue sharing credible intelligence with security agencies to aid efforts aimed at eliminating terrorism and criminality.
The rescue operation comes months after terrorists attacked a military base in Ngoshe on March 4, burning operational vehicles, dispersing troops, killing an unspecified number of people and abducting several others.
