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NYSC members escape Boko Haram abduction in Borno

Published

12 months ago

November 13, 2025

NYSC members escape Boko Haram abduction in Borno after troops of Operation Hadin Kai intervene swiftly following bus breakdown

NYSC members escape Boko Haram abduction after troops of Operation Hadin Kai rescued seventy-four corps members from suspected terrorists along the Buratai–Kamuya road in Borno State.

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The corps members — 36 males and 38 females — narrowly escaped being kidnapped by Boko Haram/ISWAP fighters late on Tuesday, following a mechanical breakdown of their vehicles near a notorious abduction hotspot.

According to the spokesperson of Operation Hadin Kai, Lieutenant Colonel Sani Uba, the intervention occurred around 9:05 p.m. after a military surveillance team detected suspicious activity involving three stationary buses through a closed-circuit television (CCTV) system monitored by troops.

“On arrival, troops discovered 74 NYSC members stranded after their vehicles developed mechanical faults,” Uba said.

“The troops immediately rescued them to prevent a likely abduction attempt by Boko Haram or ISWAP elements operating in the area.”

The rescued corps members were subsequently moved to Buratai military base for protection and temporary accommodation, pending further transport arrangements.

Military sources confirmed that the troops’ rapid response was part of ongoing security reinforcement along major highways in the North-East, following an uptick in militant activity and targeted abductions.

In recent months, the Operation Hadin Kai task force has intensified patrols, launched precision air strikes, and dismantled several insurgent hideouts in Borno, Katsina, and Kwara States, in a sustained effort to neutralise terrorist threats and ensure civilian safety.

Security analysts praised the military’s swift operation as a decisive and life-saving response, noting that it prevented what could have been another tragic abduction of unarmed youth corps members deployed for national service.

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The NYSC authorities have yet to issue an official statement, but officials in Maiduguri confirmed that all 74 corps members are safe and in good health.

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Health

Kenya Releases 20 Ebola Contacts After 21 Days in Quarantine

Published

13 hours ago

October 26, 2026

Peculiar Adirika

Kenya Ebola contacts: 20 people have been released after 21 days in quarantine without symptoms as health authorities continue outbreak monitoring

Kenya has released 20 people linked to its first imported case of Bundibugyo virus disease after they completed 21 days of quarantine without developing symptoms, as health authorities continue efforts to contain the outbreak.

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The World Health Organisation’s Regional Office for Africa announced the development on Monday, October 26, 2026, saying the individuals had undergone final health assessments and received counselling on precautions and follow-up care where necessary before reuniting with their families.

Kenya’s Director-General for Health, Dr Patrick Amoth, urged communities to welcome the released individuals without stigma.

“We ask communities to welcome them home warmly,” Amoth said. “Having completed 21 days without symptoms, they pose no risk of infection to anyone.”

The WHO said 98 contacts remained in quarantine as of Monday, while eight contacts had developed symptoms and tested positive for Ebola through laboratory tests.

According to the organisation, all eight individuals were already in quarantine when they developed symptoms and were subsequently transferred to the country’s Ebola treatment centre in Nairobi.

Kenya has recorded nine confirmed cases and two deaths since reporting its first imported case on October 6, 2026.

The WHO said all nine cases were linked to the same cluster, with no evidence of wider community transmission at the time of its update.

The organisation said health authorities had traced all 135 contacts, both within Kenya and internationally, by October 22, placing them under quarantine and monitoring.

The WHO continues to support Kenya’s response through coordination, disease surveillance, contact tracing, laboratory testing, case management, infection prevention and control, screening at points of entry, and public health communication.

The WHO Representative to Kenya, Dr Neema Rusibamayila Kimambo, said people who completed quarantine had helped protect their families and communities.

“People who complete quarantine have helped protect their families, their communities and the whole country,” she said.

Kimambo also commended Kenya’s Ministry of Health, the Kenya National Public Health Institute, and national and county health teams for responding to new cases.

The WHO said there was no licensed vaccine or specific treatment for Bundibugyo virus disease, but early detection and supportive medical care could improve the chances of recovery.

It advised against travel restrictions, recommending evidence-based measures such as health screening at entry and exit points, surveillance and contact tracing instead.

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Although the release of the first 20 contacts marks progress in Kenya’s response, health authorities continue to monitor those still in quarantine and maintain surveillance to identify any further cases promptly.