In a successful operation, troops from Operation Hadin Kai (OPHK) have freed six women and children who were kidnapped by suspected Boko Haram and ISWAP militants. The rescue took place in Ngoshe village, located within the Gwoza Local Government Area of Borno State.
A statement released on Friday by Lieutenant Colonel Sani Uba, the Media Information Officer for the Joint Task Force North-East, confirmed the operation. According to the statement, the victims were saved during a carefully planned mission that followed intense military actions, including aerial strikes aimed at dismantling terrorist camps in the Mandara Mountains.
Acting on reliable intelligence, troops managed to locate and retrieve the captives in the early hours of May 1, 2026, near Amuda—a deserted stretch between Ngoshe and Gava that is notorious for insurgent activity. The rescued individuals include Zainab Idris (18), Fatima Abubakar (17), Maimuna Abdulrashid (24), Muhammad Idris (1), Sadiq Abdullahi (7), and Fatima Abdulrashid (5).
Investigations reveal that the group was abducted during an assault on the Ngoshe community on March 3, 2026. They had been held in a militant hideout before managing to escape. The statement noted that fleeing terrorists opened fire on the troops as they tried to recapture the escapees, but the military personnel quickly returned fire and forced them to retreat.
The Armed Forces have emphasized that increased pressure on terrorist networks has weakened their capabilities, leading to disorganization and more frequent escape attempts by hostages. After the rescue, the victims received medical care and were subsequently handed over to local community leaders, who helped reunite them with their families.
The Nigerian military has reaffirmed its dedication to ongoing operations aimed at freeing abducted individuals and eradicating terrorist threats in the North-East region.