Troops of Operation HADIN KAI have rescued six abducted civilians in Ngoshe community, Gwoza Local Government Area of Borno State, following sustained military operations in the Mandara Mountains.
The victims, three women and three children, were intercepted and rescued in the early hours of May 1, 2026, around Amuda, a deserted corridor between Ngoshe and Gava known for insurgent movements. The troops were returning from an overnight offensive operation when they encountered the group.
Military authorities said the rescue followed intensified air and ground operations targeting terrorist enclaves in the mountainous region. Preliminary findings indicate that the victims were among residents abducted during a March 3 attack on Ngoshe and had been held in captivity in Gava before escaping.
The rescued individuals were identified as Zainab Idris (18), Fatima Abubakar (17), Maimuna Abdulrashid (24), and three children: Muhammad Idris (1), Sadiq Abdullahi (7), and Fatima Abdulrashid (5).
According to the military, troops came under sporadic fire from fleeing insurgents attempting to recapture the escapees. Soldiers responded with force, repelling the attackers and forcing them to retreat into the rugged terrain.
The military attributed the successful rescue to sustained pressure on insurgent groups, which it said has weakened their cohesion and triggered internal disarray. Intelligence sources also suggest increased desperation among the fighters, following recent losses and multiple escapes by captives.
The victims received first aid and medical attention at a military facility before being handed over to community leaders. They were later reunited with their families in Ngoshe in a ceremony facilitated by the Wali of the community, Alhaji Shuaibu Dabawa.
The Armed Forces reiterated their commitment to ongoing operations aimed at rescuing abducted persons and dismantling terrorist strongholds across the North East. They also urged residents to continue providing timely information to support security efforts.
