(Troops rescue of 416 captives. Photo by Nations News)
Fresh waves of relief and emotion have swept across parts of Borno State, barely 24 hours after the rescue of 416 residents of Ngoshe community abd¥cted during an inv@sion by suspected Boko Haram/ISWAP terrorists three months ago.
This time, it was Dille community in Askira/Uba Local Government Area, where 11 women abd¥cted seven months earlier while on a fishing expedition were reunited with their families after months of anguish and uncertainty.
The women were rescued following coordinated operations by the Nigerian Army under Operation HADINKAI the same military offensive credited with the wider liberation of over 400 captives from Ngoshe and adjoining communities.
Community sources revealed that during their time in captivity, two of the women managed to escape, while another two were released by their abd¥ctors before the final rescue operation. All returnees underwent comprehensive medical examinations before reunification with their families.
Their return sparked deeply emotional scenes in Dille, with families breaking into tears of joy and thanksgiving.
Askira/Uba Local Government Area Chairman Mada Saidu expressed gratitude over their safe return, commending the Nigerian Army, the Borno State Government, and all security agencies for their sustained efforts.
“We thank God for the safe return of our daughters and wives.
We also appreciate the Nigerian Army, the Borno State government and all security agencies for their commitment and sacrifices toward ensuring their freedom and safety,” he said.
Ngoshe stakeholders disclaim rescue credit claim
Meanwhile, the Ngoshe Stakeholders Forum (NSF) has distanced the community from claims by a group identifying itself as the “Borno South Youth Alliance,” allegedly managed by one Samaila Kaigama, which publicly claimed involvement in facilitating the release of the 416 captives.
Speaking at a press conference in Maiduguri attended by former Gwoza Local Government chairmen and community leaders, forum chairman Prof. Suleiman Bello categorically rejected the claims.
“This group is unknown to us, does not represent our people in any capacity, and was never mandated to speak or act on our behalf.
Their claims are entirely false, misleading, and should be disregarded by the general public,” he stated.
The forum warned against attempts to exploit the humanitarian crisis for personal gain, urging the public, media organisations, and humanitarian actors to exercise caution in engaging with unauthorised individuals or groups falsely claiming to represent the community.
Despite the controversy, the forum expressed appreciation to the federal and Borno State governments, the Nigerian Army particularly troops stationed in Ngoshe, Pulka, and Gwoza as well as all security and humanitarian agencies involved in securing the release of the captives.
The forum also noted that the 416 rescued residents did not return to Ngoshe itself but were taken to Pulka community to join relatives, as Ngoshe currently has no civilian population.
The community, located at the foot of the Mandara Mountains along the Nigeria-Cameroon border, was overrun by insurgents in March, forcing nearly 3,000 residents who had previously been resettled there under Governor Babagana Zulum after over seven years of displacement to flee once again.
Troops have since regained control of the area, though the question of return remains tied to a declaration of the community as fit for habitation.
317 terrorists neutralised in one month Military
In a separate development, the Defence Headquarters announced significant operational gains recorded in May 2026, with troops neutralising 317 terrorists, criminals, illegal miners, and informants across various theatres of operation.
According to the Defence Media Operations, 314 suspects were arr£sted for offences ranging from terrorism and criminality to illegal mining, while 18 insurgents surrendered under sustained military pressure.
Three illegal refining sites were also destroyed, cutting off key funding sources for criminal networks.
Additionally, 221 k!dnapped hostages were rescued during the operations, while 21,910 litres of illegally refined petroleum products and 93 assorted firearms and ammunition were recovered.
The military urged citizens to continue providing timely and credible intelligence to security agencies as efforts to restore lasting peace intensify.