Troops of the Joint Task Force North-East, Operation HADIN KAI, have rescued 360 abductees from a fortified Jama’atu Ahlis Sunna Lidda’awati wal-Jihad enclave in the Mandara Mountains area of southern Borno State.
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The military described the operation as one of the most significant hostage rescue missions conducted in the North-East theatre in recent times.
The development was disclosed in a statement by the Acting Media Information Officer, Headquarters Joint Task Force North-East, Operation HADIN KAI, Lieutenant Colonel Haruna M. Sani.
According to him, the operation followed weeks of intelligence gathering, covert reconnaissance and detailed operational planning, leading to the safe recovery of men, women and children who had been held in captivity under harsh conditions after being abducted from several communities, particularly within the Ngoshe axis.
“The successful rescue underscores the growing operational reach, intelligence dominance, and tactical superiority of OPHK in denying terrorists freedom of action and protecting vulnerable populations across the theatre,” the statement said.
Sani said the operation was launched after credible and corroborated intelligence from multiple sources confirmed the location of the hostages and revealed an elaborate insurgent support network sustaining the enclave.
He explained that OPHK intelligence elements carried out extensive target development using Human Intelligence, Signals Intelligence, Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance operations, unmanned aerial systems and long-range reconnaissance patrols.
According to him, sustained intelligence gathering enabled commanders to understand the terrain, insurgents’ defensive positions, movement patterns and the condition of the abductees before launching the rescue mission.
He added that a major breakthrough came when intelligence assets successfully penetrated the terrorist network and provided actionable information on the exact locations of the abductees, the positions of insurgent commanders, internal security arrangements and planned relocation routes.
The statement said coordinated information and psychological operations also created confusion and mistrust within the insurgent ranks, weakening their command and control structure.
Acting on confirmed intelligence, OPHK Special Forces and troops of Sector 1 launched a coordinated multi-axis operation to isolate the target area, dominate key terrain and prevent insurgents from reinforcing or escaping.
The military said assault forces moved into the area under cover of darkness while blocking forces took positions along likely escape routes, supported by real-time surveillance.
The operation, according to the statement, achieved complete tactical surprise, overwhelming the terrorists before they could mount an organised response.
“Faced with the speed, precision, and overwhelming combat power of the advancing troops, several insurgents abandoned their positions and fled into surrounding mountainous terrain, while others surrendered. The hostages were swiftly secured, medically screened, and evacuated from the objective area,” the statement added.
The military, however, disclosed that two infants died from exhaustion caused by the difficult mountainous terrain and the hardship endured during prolonged captivity.
The remaining rescued abductees were evacuated to safe locations for medical care and humanitarian support.
The Military High Command commended the courage, professionalism and discipline of personnel involved in the operation, saying the rescue reflected the effectiveness of intelligence-led operations and the growing synergy among security stakeholders.
It reassured the public that follow-up exploitation and clearance operations were ongoing to neutralise fleeing terrorists, dismantle remaining support networks and prevent future abductions.
Meanwhile, the Borno South Youth Alliance confirmed that all abductees from Ngoshe were released on Saturday night.
The group’s President, Samaila Ibrahim-Kaigama, said four babies born in captivity died from infections, while their mothers are receiving treatment at a government facility in the state.
In an earlier statement, the group welcomed the release of the women and children, saying their return brought hope, joy and relief to Southern Borno.
“We are happy and grateful that through our efforts, our persistent cries, and long discussions, the results are now being seen,” the group said.
The group also called on the Federal Government, Borno State Government and relevant local government authorities to properly screen the rescued victims and provide necessary medical and humanitarian support.
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