Abducted Borno oil exploration team rescued

Troops of the Operation Lafiya Dole in collaboration with volunteer vigilante youth group, Civilian JTF, yesterday rescued security operatives and members of the NNPC Oil Exploration team abducted by Boko Haram militants during their site visit in northern Borno State.

Those rescued included four members of the Civilian JTF, two NNPC officials and an official of the Department of Geology, University of Maiduguri.

The NNPC Oil Exploration team members were ambushed by suspected Boko Haram insurgents between Jilli and Bornoyesu villages located along Magumeri-Gubio Local Government Area.

Our correspondent learnt that troops of 5-Brigade, Gubio, in collaboration with members of the Civilian JTF had pursued and overpowered the fleeing militants, killing scores of the them, while others escaped with gunshot wounds.

The operation had led to the recovery of several arms and ammunitions and four vehicles which belonged to the rescued members of the NNPC Oil Exploration team.

In a telephone conversation with the media in Maiduguri yesterday, the Caretaker Chairman of Gubio LGA, Alhaji Zanna Modu, said, “Although the incident took place in Bornoyesu village of Magumeri LGA, following an intelligence gathering, the Joint Security Operatives with support from Gubio Council area and members of the public were able to apprehend and kill the fleeing insurgents around Jilli village.”