BY ABDULKADIR M. LAWAN, MAY 23, 2026 | 09:09 PM

Troops of Operation HADIN KAI have rescued four abducted civilians, including two children and two women, during an operation along the Ngoshe–Amuda axis in Gwoza Local Government Area, Borno State.

The victims — Salamatu Sidiq Ali, 19; Halima Idrisa, 20; Umar Abdullahi, 3; and Mustapha Abdullahi, 4 — were among residents kidnapped during a terrorist attack on Ngoshe community on March 3, 2026.

According to a press release issued by Lt. Col. Sani Uba, Media Information Officer for Headquarters Joint Task Force (North East) Operation HADIN KAI, the rescue occurred as troops maintained pressure on insurgent hideouts in the Mandara Mountains under Operation DESERT SANITY V and Siege Operations.

Preliminary debriefing showed the victims had been held at a terrorist enclave before being intercepted and freed.

After medical evaluation, they were safely reunited with their families through community leadership.

'This rescue is part of sustained efforts to secure the release of abducted civilians,' the statement said.

Military authorities said 65 abducted persons have been rescued so far in the theatre, with operations ongoing to free others still in captivity.

The operation was carried out by troops of the Joint Task Force (North East) Operation HADIN KAI under ongoing offensives targeting terrorist strongholds across the North East.

In related operations, troops also arrested suspected terrorist collaborators and logistics suppliers, apprehended four suspected cattle rustlers at Kwaya Kusar Market, and recorded the surrender of two family members linked to Boko Haram/ISWAP.

Among those who surrendered were Aishatu Sale, 20, in Bama LGA, and Hauwa Abubakar, 70, who escaped from a terrorist enclave in the Mandara Mountains.

The military attributed the surrenders to sustained pressure and shortages of food and basic necessities in insurgent camps.

Recovered items included an AK-47 rifle with a loaded magazine found along a known terrorist withdrawal route.

Operation HADIN KAI said the successes reflect continued pressure on terrorist elements and reiterated its commitment to restoring peace, security, and economic stability in the North East.

The military high command commended the troops and urged them to sustain the tempo.

The Ngoshe community in Gwoza has been repeatedly targeted by insurgents since the conflict began, with women and children often among those abducted.