North-East: Troops Rescue Kidnap Victims, Arrest Terrorist Collaborators as Insurgents Surrender
Troops of the Joint Task Force (North East), Operation HADIN KAI (OPHK), under the ongoing Operation DESERT SANITY V and siege operations, have recorded major operational successes across the North-East theatre, including the rescue of abducted civilians, arrest of terrorist collaborators, recovery of weapons, and continued surrender of insurgents’ family members.
In a major breakthrough, troops conducting operations along the Ngoshe–Amuda axis in Gwoza Local Government Area successfully intercepted and rescued four abducted persons comprising two women and two children. The rescued victims — Salamatu Sidiq Ali, 19; Halima Idrisa, 20; Umar Abdullahi, 3; and Mustapha Abdullahi, 4 — were among residents abducted during the terrorist attack on Ngoshe community on March 3, 2026.
Preliminary debriefing revealed that the victims had been held in a terrorist enclave but were rescued amid intensified military pressure on insurgent hideouts in the Mandara Mountains. Following medical evaluation, the victims were safely reunited with their families through community leadership structures.
So far, troops have rescued a total of 65 abducted persons, while efforts are ongoing to secure the release of others still in captivity.
In a related development, troops of OPHK arrested a suspected terrorist collaborator, Mrs. Kellu Alhaji Abba, 50, at a checkpoint in Baga, Kukawa Local Government Area. Items recovered from the suspect included clothing materials and other supplies allegedly meant for delivery to a terrorist operative in the Dumba general area.
Similarly, troops apprehended another suspected logistics supplier, Mr. Amadu Abdu, 50, along the Dalori axis. The suspect was intercepted while transporting a large quantity of packaged items reportedly intended for terrorists. Preliminary investigation further revealed that he had allegedly been supplying logistics to insurgents in exchange for access to grazing areas.
Recovered items included packaged goods, a mobile phone, a cutlass, suspected illicit substances, and cash.
Additionally, troops in conjunction with local hunters arrested four suspected cattle rustlers and terrorist collaborators at Kwaya Kusar Market. The suspects were apprehended with stolen livestock and are currently undergoing investigation.
Troops also recorded the surrender of family members linked to Boko Haram/ISWAP terrorists. Among them are Aishatu Sale, 20, who surrendered in Bama Local Government Area, and Hauwa Abubakar, 70, who escaped from a terrorist enclave in the Mandara Mountains.
The surrendered individuals disclosed that sustained military pressure and worsening conditions, including lack of basic necessities within terrorist camps, compelled them to flee.
All surrendered persons have been profiled and are undergoing necessary procedures.
In another development, troops on operation recovered one AK-47 rifle and a loaded magazine along a known terrorist withdrawal route, further degrading the operational capabilities of insurgents.
The recent operational gains underscore the sustained pressure being mounted against terrorist elements across the North-East theatre.
Operation HADIN KAI reaffirmed its commitment to restoring peace, security, and economic stability in the region, assuring residents that all necessary measures are being taken to neutralise threats and safeguard lives and property.
The Military High Command commended the troops for their resilience and impressive operational performance, urging them to sustain the momentum in the interest of peace, security, and national development.
