Troops of the Joint Task Force (North East), Operation HADIN KAI (OPHK), have recorded another operational breakthrough with the rescue of six abducted civilians in Ngoshe community, Gwoza Local Government Area of Borno State.
The victims, comprising women and children, were rescued during sustained offensive operations targeting terrorist enclaves in the Mandara Mountains.
Military sources said the operation followed intensified air interdiction missions and ground assaults aimed at degrading terrorist strongholds in the region.
Acting on credible intelligence, troops intercepted the victims in the early hours of May 1, 2026, around Amuda, a deserted corridor between Ngoshe and Gava known for terrorist movement.
The rescued individuals were identified as Zainab Idris (18), Fatima Abubakar (17), Maimuna Abdulrashid (24), Muhammad Idris (1), Sadiq Abdullahi (7), and Fatima Abdulrashid (5).
Preliminary debriefings revealed that they were among residents abducted during a terrorist attack on Ngoshe community on March 3, 2026. They had been held in captivity at a terrorist enclave in Gava before managing to escape.
During the rescue operation, troops reportedly came under sporadic gunfire from fleeing terrorists attempting to pursue the escapees. The troops responded with superior firepower, forcing the attackers to retreat into the surrounding mountainous terrain.
Military authorities linked the successful rescue to sustained pressure on terrorist elements, which has significantly weakened their structure and disrupted their operations.
Intelligence assessments indicate that the insurgents are increasingly disoriented and under strain due to continuous losses and the escape of captives, including a teenager who had reportedly been forced into marriage by one of their commanders.
Following their rescue, the victims were given immediate medical attention and first aid at a military facility.
They were later handed over to community authorities and reunited with their families in an emotional ceremony facilitated by the Wali of Ngoshe, Alhaji Shuaibu Dabawa, in the presence of residents.
The Armed Forces of Nigeria reiterated its commitment to ongoing operations aimed at rescuing abducted persons, restoring security, and dismantling terrorist enclaves across the North East.
Military authorities also called on members of the public to continue providing credible and timely information to support ongoing operations, noting that such cooperation remains vital to sustaining recent gains on the battlefield.
The military high command commended the troops for their resilience and professionalism, urging them to maintain the momentum in ongoing clearance and pursuit operations across the theatre.
