Military rescues 360 Ngoshe abductees in Borno

…Lauds soldiers’ courage, professionalism

Troops of the Joint Task Force North East Operation Hadin Kai (OPHK) confirm that 360 people, mostly women and children, abducted by suspected Boko Haram/ISWAP terrorists during an invasion of Ngoshe Community in Gwoza local Goovernment Area of Borno State have been successfully rescued.

Recall that on 3 March 2026, armed insurgents invaded Ngoshe and caused havoc even as the Military repelled the attack by killing dozens of the terrorists.

In a press statement on Sunday signed by
Haruna Sani, Lieutenant Colonel and Acting Media Information Officer at the Headquarters of the Joint Task Force North East, Operation HADIN KAI, said: “In one of the most significant hostage rescue operations conducted in the North East theatre in recent times, troops of the Joint Task Force (North East) Operation HADIN KAI (OPHK), comprising Special Forces and troops of Sector 1, have successfully rescued 360 abductees from a heavily fortified Jama’atu Ahlis Sunna Lidda’awati wal-Jihad (JAS) enclave deep within the Mandara Mountains area of southern Borno State.

“The operation, the culmination of weeks of painstaking intelligence preparation, covert reconnaissance, and operational planning, resulted in the safe recovery of men, women, and children held in captivity under harsh conditions after being abducted from several communities, particularly within the Ngoshe axis.

“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.

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“The operation was initiated following credible and corroborated intelligence from multiple sources indicating the exact location of the hostages and the existence of an elaborate insurgent support network sustaining the enclave.

“OPHK intelligence units subsequently launched extensive target development involving Human Intelligence (HUMINT), Signals Intelligence (SIGINT), and continuous Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance (ISR) operations conducted through unmanned aerial systems and long-range reconnaissance patrols.

“Through sustained intelligence collection and analysis, commanders developed a comprehensive understanding of the terrain, insurgent disposition, defensive arrangements, movement patterns, and the condition of the abductees.

“This intelligence-driven approach enabled the force to accurately map the target area, identify vulnerabilities within the terrorist network, and significantly reduce risks to the hostages during the rescue.”

Meanwhile, Governor Babagana Zulum of Borno State has commended the Nigerian military, particularly troops of Operation HADIN KAI for the successful rescue of 360 abductees from the Mandara Mountain, a notorious terrorist enclave in the Southern part of the State.

Governor Zulum first visited Ngoshe on 6 March 2026, and two weeks later spent the night with the victims in Pulka town, Gwoza local government, where he assured them of the federal and Borno State Governments’ commitment to securing the release of those still held captive.

He also visited Ngoshe town, where he directed immediate assessment and reconstruction of destroyed houses to enable those taking refuge in Pulka to return home.

In a statement by Dauda Iliya, his Special Adviser on Media, Dauda Iliya, Governor Zulum described the operation as a remarkable demonstration of courage, professionalism, and the growing effectiveness of intelligence-led military operations in the fight against insurgency in the North-East.

The governor noted that the mission, which led to the safe recovery of hundreds of men, women, and children held captive by terrorists, has renewed hope among affected communities and reaffirmed the commitment of the federal government, the Nigerian military, and Borno State to safeguarding lives and restoring lasting peace in the region.

“I wish to express my profound appreciation to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the Chief of Defence Staff, the Chief of Army Staff, the Theatre Commander of Operation HADIN KAI, officers, and soldiers who participated in this highly successful operation.

“Their gallantry, professionalism, and sacrifice have once again demonstrated the unwavering commitment of our Armed Forces to protecting innocent citizens”, Governor Zulum stated.

“The rescue of 360 abductees from the Boko Haram stronghold is a significant achievement. It underscores the effectiveness of inter-agency collaboration and the determination of our security forces to ensure that no citizen is abandoned in the hands of insurgents and terrorists,” he added.

The governor also commended local community members for their support, understanding, and cooperation, which have contributed to the operation’s success.

He reaffirmed Borno State Government’s commitment to continue supporting the military and other security agencies with logistics to sustain their momentum in counter-insurgency and counter-terrorism operations.

Governor Zulum further urged residents of Mussa, in Askira Uba local government, to keep hope alive, as the government remains committed to securing the release of the schoolchildren.

He called on the people of the State to stay vigilant, cooperate with security agencies, and continue providing credible information to aid ongoing efforts to eliminate criminal activities across the State.