Troops rescue abducted Ngoshe women, children from Mandara Mountains, reunite them with families
Troops of Operation HADIN KAI have rescued six abducted civilians, including women and children, from terrorist captivity in the Mandara Mountains and successfully reunited them with their families in Ngoshe community, Gwoza Local Government Area of Borno State.
The operation followed sustained military offensives, including recent air interdiction missions targeting terrorist hideouts in the mountainous region. Acting on credible intelligence, troops intercepted the victims in the early hours of May 1, 2026, around Amuda—an abandoned area between Ngoshe and Gava known for terrorist movements.
The rescued individuals were identified as Zainab Idris (18), Fatima Abubakar (17), Maimuna Abdulrashid (24), Muhammad Idris (1), Sadiq Abdullahi (7), and Fatima Abdulrashid (5).
Preliminary findings revealed that the victims were among those abducted during an attack on Ngoshe community on March 3, 2026, and had been held in captivity at a terrorist enclave in Gava before managing to escape.
During the rescue operation, troops reportedly came under sporadic gunfire from fleeing terrorists attempting to pursue the escapees. The soldiers responded swiftly, engaging the attackers and forcing them to retreat into the surrounding mountainous terrain.
Military sources attributed the successful rescue to sustained operational pressure on terrorist groups in the region, which has weakened their structure and created disarray within their ranks. Intelligence reports also indicate increasing desperation among the insurgents, following recent losses and multiple escape incidents involving captives.
Following their rescue, the victims were given immediate medical attention at a military facility before being handed over to community leaders.
Later that day, at about 2:00 p.m., the rescued civilians were formally reunited with their families in an emotional ceremony facilitated by the Wali of Ngoshe, Shuaibu Dabawa, in the presence of community members.
The Armed Forces of Nigeria reaffirmed their commitment to rescuing abducted persons, securing communities, and dismantling terrorist enclaves across the North-East. They also urged the public to continue providing credible information to support ongoing military operations.
Comments