Troops rescue 360 abductees from terrorist enclave in Borno mountains
Troops of the Joint Task Force (North East), Operation HADIN KAI (OPHK), have rescued 360 abductees from a heavily fortified Jama’atu Ahlis Sunna Lidda’awati wal-Jihad (JAS) enclave in the Mandara Mountains of southern Borno State in what the military described as one of the most significant hostage rescue operations in the North-East in recent years.
The operation, disclosed in a statement by the Acting Media Information Officer of OPHK, Lieutenant Colonel Haruna M. Sani, followed weeks of intelligence gathering, covert reconnaissance and detailed operational planning.
According to the military, the rescued victims, comprising men, women and children, had been held in captivity under harsh conditions after being abducted from several communities, particularly within the Ngoshe axis of Borno State.
“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 explained that the operation was launched after security agencies received credible intelligence pinpointing the location of the hostages and identifying an insurgent support network sustaining the enclave.
He said intelligence personnel subsequently undertook an extensive target development process that combined Human Intelligence (HUMINT), Signals Intelligence (SIGINT) and sustained Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (ISR) operations using unmanned aerial systems and long-range reconnaissance patrols.
Through the intelligence-driven approach, commanders were able to build a detailed understanding of the terrain, insurgent positions, defensive arrangements, movement patterns and the condition of the captives.
The military said a major breakthrough came after intelligence operatives successfully penetrated the terrorist network through carefully cultivated assets who supplied actionable information on the exact locations of the hostages, insurgent commanders, security arrangements and planned relocation routes.
Simultaneously, coordinated information and psychological operations reportedly created confusion and mistrust among the insurgents, disrupting their cohesion and weakening command structures ahead of the assault.
Acting on confirmed intelligence, Special Forces personnel and troops of Sector 1 launched a coordinated multi-axis operation aimed at isolating the objective area, dominating key terrain and preventing insurgents from escaping or receiving reinforcements.
Supported by real-time surveillance feeds, assault teams infiltrated the area under the cover of darkness while blocking forces secured likely escape routes.
The military said the operation achieved complete tactical surprise, overwhelming the insurgents before they could organise a 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 said.
However, the military disclosed that two infants died from exhaustion caused by the difficult mountainous terrain and the prolonged hardship they endured while in captivity.
The remaining rescued victims were evacuated to safe locations where they are receiving medical attention and humanitarian support.
The Military High Command commended the professionalism, courage and discipline of personnel involved in the mission, describing the rescue as evidence of the effectiveness of intelligence-led operations and improved collaboration among security agencies.
It also assured the public that follow-up clearance and exploitation operations were ongoing to eliminate remaining terrorist elements, dismantle support networks and prevent future abductions.
Meanwhile, the Borno South Youth Alliance (BOSYA) confirmed that the abductees from Ngoshe were released on Saturday night.
Speaking by telephone with Channels Television, the group’s president, Samaila Ibrahim-Kaigama, said four babies born during captivity had died from infections, while their mothers were receiving treatment at a government health facility.
In an earlier statement, the group welcomed the release of the women and children and described it as a moment of relief for communities across southern Borno.
“We are happy and grateful that through our efforts, our persistent cries and long discussions, the results are now being seen,” the statement said.
BOSYA also called on the Federal Government, the Borno State Government and relevant local authorities to conduct comprehensive screening and rehabilitation of the rescued victims to facilitate their reintegration into society.