The Department of State Services (DSS) teamed up with local forest guards to free seven individuals kidnapped by suspected fighters from the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) in Borno State.
The rescue followed a fierce gun battle deep in a forest hideout, forcing the terrorists to abandon their captives and flee.The abductions took place on January 19, when the victims—local residents ventured into the bush near Ajiri Camp on the outskirts of Maiduguri to gather firewood.
Terrorists intercepted the group during their routine scavenging, dragging them into the dense forest.Two of the captives managed to break free early on and rushed back to Ajiri Camp to raise the alarm within the community.
In a separate move, the kidnappers dispatched one young boy on a bicycle back to the area with a ransom demand of N20 million.
Acting on the urgent tip-off, DSS-supported forest guards quickly mobilized and launched a targeted raid on the terrorists' enclave. To maintain the element of surprise, the operatives turned off their motorcycles and trekked silently for nearly an hour through the terrain before closing in.
A heavy exchange of gunfire erupted, overwhelming the ISWAP militants and compelling them to scatter and leave the hostages behind. All seven victims were recovered unharmed and are now receiving medical attention, psychological support, and debriefing from authorities.
Hassan Modu, Commander of the Forest Guards who led the ground effort alongside DSS personnel, credited the mission's success to prompt intelligence sharing and seamless teamwork. "We approached quietly on foot and engaged them directly. The terrorists bolted once they saw we had surrounded their position," Modu stated.
He praised the DSS for its ongoing partnership and called on local residents to keep supplying reliable tips to security forces to help stamp out such threats in Borno.The forest guards function as a community-based auxiliary force, specially trained, equipped, and overseen by the DSS.
The agency delivers essential training in intelligence gathering, surveillance, reconnaissance, and bush tracking tactics, while running regular drills and embedding officers to ensure disciplined and coordinated operations.
This setup allows the guards to support DSS-led efforts against terrorism and other crimes with greater professionalism and impact.
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