Troops of Operation Hadin Kai, working alongside special operations forces, have rescued 360 civilians, mostly women and children, who were abducted by terrorists from Ngoshe community in Gwoza LGA of Borno state.
The successful operation was carried out on June 6 during a coordinated military offensive across several locations around the Mandara Mountains.
Major general Abdulsalam Abubakar, the theatre commander of the Northeast joint task force, Operation Hadin Kai disclosed that Special Operations Forces first conducted preliminary missions that disrupted terrorist activities and created confusion within their camps before ground troops moved in to extract the captives.
According to him, “The rescued civilians were among residents abducted during a terrorist attack on Ngoshe community on March 3, 2026.”
Abubakar explained that troops of the 26 Task Force Brigade successfully carried out the rescue operation after the initial special forces missions weakened the terrorists’ resistance.
However, he revealed that the operation suffered a tragic setback.
“However, the operation recorded a tragic setback as two infants died during the rescue effort due to the harsh and difficult terrain encountered while moving the victims to safety,” he said.
The theatre commander noted that all rescued victims underwent immediate medical screening upon arrival at a secure location.
He added that those requiring urgent medical attention were stabilised by military medical personnel and subsequently admitted to the General Hospital in Gwoza for further treatment.
“The victims were also provided with food and water before being moved to a secure holding facility pending their handover to relevant authorities and reunification with their families,” Abubakar stated.