Nigerian troops have recorded a major breakthrough in the fight against insurgency with the rescue of 360 abducted women and children from a notorious terrorist enclave hidden within the Mandara Mountains in southern Borno State.
The successful operation, carried out by the Joint Task Force (North East), Operation HADIN KAI, is being described as one of the largest and most significant hostage rescue missions in recent years in the North-East.
Military authorities disclosed that the mission followed weeks of intensive intelligence gathering, surveillance and strategic planning aimed at locating and safely extracting victims who had been held captive by insurgents under harsh conditions. Many of the rescued victims were reportedly abducted from communities around the Ngoshe axis.
According to the military, intelligence operatives combined human intelligence, signal intercepts and aerial surveillance to pinpoint the exact location of the hostages and uncover the network sustaining the terrorist camp. The operation also involved the infiltration of the insurgents’ ranks by intelligence assets, providing commanders with critical information on the movement of hostages and the activities of terrorist leaders.
Armed with accurate intelligence, Special Forces and troops of Sector One launched a coordinated multi-directional assault under the cover of darkness, cutting off escape routes and isolating the target area. The operation achieved complete tactical surprise, forcing several terrorists to abandon their positions and flee into surrounding mountainous terrain, while others surrendered.
The rescued victims were immediately secured, screened and evacuated to safe locations for medical attention and humanitarian support. However, the military confirmed that two infants lost their lives due to exhaustion caused by the difficult terrain and the prolonged hardship endured during captivity.
Military authorities hailed the mission as a testament to the growing effectiveness of intelligence-led operations and the determination of security forces to protect vulnerable communities. They assured Nigerians that follow-up clearance operations are ongoing to eliminate remaining terrorist elements and dismantle support networks operating in the region.
Meanwhile, the Borno South Youth Alliance confirmed the release of the abductees, describing the development as a moment of relief and hope for affected communities. The group also revealed that four babies born during captivity died from infections, while their mothers are currently receiving treatment at a government health facility.
The alliance called on the Federal Government, Borno State Government and relevant authorities to ensure proper medical screening, rehabilitation and reintegration of the rescued victims as they begin the process of rebuilding their lives.
