The Nigerian Army has successfully conducted a raid on a suspected Boko Haram camp, resulting in the rescue of seven Fulani herders who were held captive.

The operation, carried out on Thursday by troops from the 25 Brigade Damboa, supported by local vigilantes, took place in Kanama village of Damboa and Imimi village in the Konduga Local Government Areas of Borno State.

According to sources familiar with the operation, the troops encountered resistance from the suspected terrorists, who engaged them in a gun battle before fleeing and leaving their captives behind.

One suspected terrorist was reportedly neutralized during the operation. The troops subsequently destroyed the camp and recovered firearms, bicycles, and other valuables. The rescued herders, who had been bound in chains, were freed by the troops.

Zagazola Makama, a security analyst and counter-insurgency expert in the Lake Chad area, posted on his X handle that intelligence sources revealed the operation was conducted in response to gathered intelligence on terrorist activities in the general area. The operation took place on July 18, 2024.

“The sources said that team ‘A’ of the troops discovered a large Boko Haram camp at Imimi Bulabulin, overpowered the terrorists and eliminated one of them while others escaped.

“The troops also destroyed the camp while items recovered include 11 bicycles, 2 AK 47 magazines, and various other materials.

“Meanwhile, team ‘B’ encountered seven abandoned kidnap victims in chains at the outskirts of an insurgents’ camp in Kanama Village.

“The victims, all Fulani herdsmen, claimed they were robbed of their cattle and abducted at various times and locations. The troops rescued the victims and brought them out from the forest,” the report said.