Troops of the Joint Task Force (North East), Operation HADIN KAI (OPHK), have recorded a major operational breakthrough with the rescue of six abducted civilians, who have since been reunited with their families in Ngoshe community, Gwoza Local Government Area of Borno State.
The successful rescue followed sustained offensive operations, including recent air interdiction missions targeting terrorist hideouts in the Mandara Mountains. Acting on credible intelligence, troops intercepted the victims in the early hours of May 1, 2026, while returning from an overnight mission.
The victims—three women and three children—were rescued around Amuda, a deserted area between Ngoshe and Gava known for terrorist movements. They were identified as Zainab Idris (18), Fatima Abubakar (17), Maimuna Abdulrashid (24), Muhammad Idris (1), Sadiq Abdullahi (7), and Fatima Abdulrashid (5).
According to a statement issued by the Media Information Officer of OPHK, Lieutenant Colonel Sani Uba, preliminary findings revealed that the victims were among residents abducted during a terrorist attack on Ngoshe community on March 3, 2026. They had reportedly been held in captivity at a terrorist enclave in Gava before managing to escape.
During the rescue operation, troops came under sporadic fire from fleeing terrorists attempting to recapture the escapees. The soldiers responded swiftly, engaging the insurgents in a brief firefight and forcing them to retreat into the mountainous terrain.
The military attributed the success to sustained pressure on terrorist elements, which has disrupted their coordination and weakened their operational capacity. Intelligence reports suggest growing desperation and internal disarray among the insurgents, worsened by repeated losses and the increasing number of captives escaping from their camps.
Following the rescue, the victims received immediate medical attention at a military facility before being handed over to community authorities. They were later reunited with their families at about 2:00 p.m. the same day in an emotional ceremony facilitated by the Wali of Ngoshe, Alhaji Shuaibu Dabawa, and attended by community members.
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The Armed Forces of Nigeria reaffirmed their commitment to securing communities across the North East, rescuing abducted persons, and dismantling terrorist enclaves. The military also urged residents to continue providing timely and credible information to support ongoing operations.
The Military High Command commended the troops for their bravery and professionalism, urging them to sustain the momentum and intensify efforts to dominate the operational environment.
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