Nigerian Troops R€scue Woman, Child ∆bducted By Terrorists In Borno, N£utralise Insurgent
Nigerian Troops Rescue Woman, Child Abducted By Terrorists In Borno, Neutralise Insurgent
The military disclosed this in a statement issued on Thursday by the Media Information Officer of the Joint Task Force (North East), Operation HADIN KAI, Lieutenant Colonel Sani Uba.
The Nigerian Army has announced the rescue of two civilians abducted by terrorists during an attack on Ngoshe community in Borno State.
The military disclosed this in a statement issued on Thursday by the Media Information Officer of the Joint Task Force (North East), Operation HADIN KAI, Lieutenant Colonel Sani Uba.
According to the statement, the rescue was achieved during ongoing Operation Desert Sanity V/Siege Operations targeting terrorist strongholds in the North-East.
During the operations the troops, neutralised a suspected insurgent, forcing more family members of terrorists to flee and surrender amid sustained military offensives across the North-East.
The statement identified the rescued victims as a 20-year-old Maryam Muhammad and her infant son, Bello Muhammad, who is one year and four months old.
The military said the mother and child were among residents abducted by terrorists during an attack on Ngoshe community on March 3, 2026.
“Troops of OPHK, while conducting offensive operations at Amuda general area, successfully intercepted and rescued two abductees from Ngoshe community,” the statement said.
Preliminary investigations, the statement noted revealed that the victims had been held captive in a terrorist enclave located within the Mandara Mountains before escaping amid intense military bombardments targeting insurgent hideouts.
According to the military, the sustained fire missions forced the terrorists to abandon the captives, creating an opportunity for them to escape.
The statement partly read: “Preliminary debrief revealed that the victims were held at a terrorist enclave within the Mandara Mountains before managing to escape following intense fire missions on terrorist hideouts, which forced their captors to abandon them.
“After initial medical assessment, the rescued victims were safely reunited with their family members through the Ngoshe community leadership. In a related development, troops of OPHK deployed at Wulgo and the proposed COP Jagarawaji. During the offensive operation, conducted in conjunction with Civilian Joint Task Force elements, troops carried out intensive offensive operations in Wulgo, Gumsari, and Hausari general areas.
“During the operations, several indicators of terrorist presence and sustenance were discovered, including makeshift terrorist medical facilities equipped with transfusion materials and antibiotics, rounds of 7.62mm ammunition, and a uniform belonging to a terrorist Amir. Troops also neutralised one terrorist during the operation, with no casualties recorded on own forces.
“Additionally, sustained military pressure continues to compel family members of terrorists to flee from enclaves and surrender to own troops. At Gwoza axis, one female family member identified as Ghwa’a Biwa (50 years) escaped from a terrorist camp in the Mandara Mountains and surrendered to troops of 192 Battalion. She cited persistent military operations and lack of basic necessities within the camps as key reasons for her escape.”
Similarly, two additional family members, identified as Binta Umaru (19 years) and her daughter, Hafsat Ibrahim (2 years), escaped from another terrorist enclave within the Mandara Mountains and surrendered to troops deployed along Gwoza–Limankara road.
“All surrendered individuals have been properly screened, documented, and are currently in custody undergoing further profiling in line with established procedures. These developments underscore the effectiveness of ongoing offensive operations and the gradual collapse of terrorist support structures within the Theatre, particularly around the Mandara Mountains and border communities.
“The Joint Task Force reassures the public of its utmost commitment to sustaining pressure on terrorists, rescuing abducted civilians, and restoring lasting security, peace and economic stability in the North East region. The Military High Command commends the troops for their impressive battle performance, urging them to sustain the operational tempo in the collective interest of national security,” the statement partly read.
The Mandara Mountains, which stretch across parts of Borno State and the Nigeria-Cameroon border, have long served as strategic hideouts for Boko Haram and Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) fighters due to the difficult terrain and limited accessibility. Security forces have intensified air and ground operations in the area in recent months as part of efforts to dismantle remaining insurgent strongholds.
