Gun Battle in Borno Forest Ends in Freedom as DSS, Forest Guards Rescue Seven Abducted Civilians
The Department of State Services (DSS), working jointly with forest guards, has successfully rescued seven civilians abducted by suspected Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) fighters from a forest hideout in Borno State.
Security sources told Zagazola Makama on Wednesday that the victims were kidnapped on January 19 while gathering firewood near Ajiri Camp, on the outskirts of Maiduguri. The abductors reportedly intercepted them during the activity and marched them deep into the forest.
According to the sources, two of the captives later escaped and returned to the camp to raise alarm, while the terrorists released one of the abducted boys to convey a ransom demand of N20 million to the community.
Following the intelligence report, forest guards operating alongside the DSS immediately mobilised for a rescue mission. To avoid detection, the operatives reportedly abandoned their motorcycles and trekked for nearly an hour before launching an assault on the terrorists’ enclave.
A fierce exchange of gunfire ensued, forcing the ISWAP elements to flee and abandon the captives. All seven victims were rescued unharmed and have since been taken in by relevant authorities for profiling and support.
The Commander of the Forest Guards, Hassan Modu, who coordinated the operation with the DSS, attributed the success to timely intelligence and effective collaboration.
“We moved quietly on foot and engaged them decisively. Once the terrorists realised we had closed in, they fled,” Modu said.
He praised the DSS for its support and called on residents to continue sharing credible information with security agencies to help curb criminal activities across the state.
The forest guards are a community-based auxiliary security outfit trained, equipped, and supervised by the DSS. The agency provides them with intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance skills, conducts regular drills, and embeds officers to ensure discipline, professionalism, and effective coordination during joint operations against terrorists and other criminal elements.
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