Nigerian military troops have rescued a young mother and her infant son from terrorist captivity in the northeast, neutralised a militant, and continued to pile pressure on insurgent strongholds in the Mandara Mountains, the Joint Task Force (North East) announced Wednesday.
The Joint Task Force, operating under Operation HADIN KAI (OPHK), said its forces intercepted and rescued Mrs Maryam Muhammad, 20, and her one-year-old son, Bello Muhammad, during offensive operations around the Amuda general area. The pair were among civilians abducted during a terrorist raid on the Ngoshe community on March 3, 2026.
According to the military, the victims had been held in a terrorist enclave within the Mandara Mountains before escaping after intense fire missions forced their captors to flee. They were given medical attention and reunited with family members through the Ngoshe community leadership.
In a separate operation, troops deployed at Wulgo, working alongside Civilian Joint Task Force elements, conducted sweeps across the Wulgo, Gumsari, and Hausari areas, where they uncovered makeshift terrorist medical facilities stocked with transfusion materials and antibiotics, rounds of 7.62mm ammunition, and a uniform belonging to a terrorist commander. One militant was killed during the operation, with no military casualties reported.
The military also reported a growing wave of surrenders, citing sustained operational pressure as a key factor. At the Gwoza axis, a 50-year-old woman identified as Ghwa’a Biwa turned herself in to troops of 192 Battalion after escaping a terrorist camp in the Mandara Mountains, citing worsening conditions and lack of basic supplies within the camps.
Two more individuals — Binta Umaru, 19, and her two-year-old daughter, Hafsat Ibrahim — also surrendered after fleeing another enclave in the same mountain range. All surrendered persons are undergoing screening and profiling in line with established military procedures.
The Joint Task Force said the developments reflect the “gradual collapse of terrorist support structures” in the region, particularly around the Mandara Mountains and border communities.
“The Joint Task Force reassures the public of its utmost commitment to sustaining pressure on terrorists, rescuing abducted civilians, and restoring lasting security, peace and economic stability in the North East region,” a statement signed by spokesperson Lt. Col. Sani Uba read. #Securitynewsalert.com
