Troops of the Joint Task Force (North East), Operation HADIN KAI, have rescued six abducted women and children and reunited them with their families in Ngoshe community, Gwoza Local Government Area of Borno State.
The development was disclosed in a statement issued on Friday by the Media Information Officer of Operation HADIN KAI, Lieutenant Colonel Sani Uba.
According to the statement, the rescue followed sustained offensive operations, including recent air interdictions 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 operation. The rescue took place around Amuda, a deserted corridor between Ngoshe and Gava known for terrorist movements.
The victims were identified as Zainab Idris (18), Fatima Abubakar (17), Maimuna Abdulrashid (24), Muhammad Idris (1), Sadiq Abdullahi (7), and Fatima Abdulrashid (5).
Preliminary findings revealed that they were among those abducted during a terrorist attack on Ngoshe community on March 3, 2026. They had reportedly been held captive at a terrorist enclave in Gava before managing to escape.
Troops came under sporadic gunfire during the rescue as fleeing terrorists attempted to pursue the victims. However, the soldiers engaged the attackers in a brief exchange, forcing them to retreat into the mountainous terrain.
The military attributed the successful operation to intensified pressure on terrorist groups, which has weakened their coordination and created internal disarray. Intelligence reports also suggest growing desperation among the insurgents following recent losses and the escape of captives, including a teenage girl who had been forcibly married to a commander.
Following the rescue, the victims received first aid and medical attention at a military facility before being handed over to community leaders.
Later that day, at about 2:00 p.m., they were reunited with their families in an emotional ceremony facilitated by the Wali of Ngoshe, Alhaji Shuaibu Dabawa, in the presence of community members.
The Armed Forces of Nigeria reiterated their commitment to safeguarding communities, rescuing abducted persons, and dismantling terrorist enclaves across the North-East.
They also urged members of the public to continue providing credible and timely information to support ongoing military operations, stressing that troops remain highly motivated and committed to restoring peace and security in the region.
