By Ndanusa Ibrahim, Maiduguri

Troops of the North-East Joint Task Force, Operation Hadin Kai (OPHK), working in conjunction with Special Operations Forces, have rescued approximately 360 civilians, mostly women and children, who were abducted by terrorists from Ngoshe community in Gwoza Local Government Area of Borno State.

Military sources disclosed that the successful rescue followed a coordinated military operation conducted on June 6 in several locations across the Mandara Mountains, a region long considered a stronghold for insurgent groups operating in the North-East.

According to the sources, Special Operations Forces carried out a series of preliminary missions targeting terrorist hideouts and disrupting their activities. The operations weakened the terrorists’ capabilities and created the opportunity for troops of the 26 Task Force Brigade to move in and safely extract the captives.

The rescued civilians were among residents of Ngoshe community who were abducted during a terrorist attack on the area on March 3, 2026. Since the incident, security forces have intensified efforts to locate and secure the release of the victims through sustained intelligence-driven operations.

Previous statements from Operation Hadin Kai had indicated that some abductees were rescued during earlier offensives in the Mandara Mountains. However, the latest operation resulted in the liberation of a significantly larger number of victims, making it one of the most successful rescue missions recorded in recent months.

Despite the success of the operation, military authorities confirmed a tragic development during the evacuation process. Two infants reportedly lost their lives due to the harsh terrain and difficult conditions encountered while transporting the rescued civilians to safety.

A military source stated that all rescued persons underwent immediate medical examinations upon arrival at a secure location to assess their health status and identify those requiring urgent treatment.

“Those requiring urgent medical attention were stabilised by brigade medical personnel and subsequently admitted to the General Hospital, Gwoza, for further treatment,” the source said.

The rescued victims were also provided with food, water, clothing and other essential relief materials to address their immediate humanitarian needs after months in captivity.

Following initial care and documentation, the victims were moved to a secure holding facility pending their handover to relevant government agencies and eventual reunification with their families.

Security sources described the operation as a major humanitarian and military achievement, highlighting the commitment of troops to protecting vulnerable communities and dismantling terrorist networks operating in remote parts of the North-East.

They noted that the operation demonstrated the growing effectiveness of intelligence gathering, inter-agency cooperation and sustained military pressure on terrorist enclaves across the region.

Military authorities further revealed that follow-up operations are ongoing in parts of the Mandara Mountains to track fleeing insurgents and destroy remaining terrorist camps. The authorities expressed optimism that continued offensives would further weaken the operational capacity of the insurgents.

Community leaders in Gwoza and surrounding areas have commended the military for the successful rescue, describing the development as a source of renewed hope for families whose loved ones remained in captivity. They also appealed for sustained security presence in vulnerable communities to prevent future attacks and abductions.

The military reaffirmed its determination to sustain ongoing counter-terrorism operations across the North-East, assuring residents that efforts would continue until all remaining captives are rescued and lasting peace is restored to affected communities.