Troops of the Joint Task Force (North East), Operation HADIN KAI (OPHK), have rescued 360 abductees from a terrorist enclave hidden within the rugged Mandara Mountains in southern Borno State in one of the most significant hostage rescue operations recorded in the North East in recent times.
The operation, carried out by Special Forces and troops of Sector 1, led to the safe recovery of hundreds of men, women, and children who had been held captive by members of Jama’atu Ahlis Sunna Lidda’awati wal-Jihad (JAS), a faction of the Boko Haram insurgent group.
Military authorities said the rescued victims were abducted from several communities, particularly within the Ngoshe axis of Gwoza Local Government Area, and had endured months of hardship under captivity.
According to a statement issued by the Acting Media Information Officer of Operation HADIN KAI, Lieutenant Colonel Haruna M. Sani, the successful operation was the result of weeks of painstaking intelligence gathering, covert surveillance, and meticulous operational planning.
The military disclosed that the mission began after intelligence reports from multiple sources identified the precise location of the abductees and revealed the existence of a support network sustaining the insurgent enclave deep within the mountainous terrain.
To verify the information, intelligence personnel launched extensive reconnaissance operations involving human intelligence, signals intelligence, and aerial surveillance supported by unmanned systems.
The intelligence effort enabled commanders to develop a detailed understanding of the terrorists’ activities, defensive positions, movement patterns, and the condition of the hostages before the rescue mission was launched.
Military sources said a breakthrough came when intelligence operatives successfully penetrated the terrorist network, providing real-time information on the location of the captives, insurgent commanders, and planned movements within the camp.
The information, combined with psychological and information operations, reportedly created confusion and mistrust among the insurgents, weakening their coordination and reducing their ability to respond effectively to the advancing troops.
Acting on confirmed intelligence, troops launched a coordinated multi-directional assault aimed at isolating the enclave and preventing the terrorists from escaping or receiving reinforcements.
Supported by real-time surveillance, Special Forces infiltrated the area under the cover of darkness while blocking units secured likely escape routes around the mountainous hideout.
The military said the operation achieved complete tactical surprise, overwhelming the insurgents before they could organise any meaningful resistance.
Faced with the speed and precision of the assault, several terrorists reportedly abandoned their positions and fled into surrounding mountain areas, while others surrendered to the troops.
The rescued hostages were immediately secured, screened, and evacuated from the area for medical attention and humanitarian assistance.
However, the military disclosed that two infants died from exhaustion during the evacuation process due to the harsh terrain and the severe conditions they endured while in captivity.
The remaining 358 rescued victims were safely transported to secure locations where they are receiving medical care, counselling, and other forms of humanitarian support.
The Military High Command described the operation as a major success in the ongoing counter-insurgency campaign and a significant blow to terrorist activities in the North East.
It commended the courage, professionalism, and discipline displayed by officers and soldiers involved in the mission, noting that the rescue reflected the effectiveness of intelligence-led military operations.
According to the military, the operation also demonstrates the growing synergy among security agencies and the determination of the Armed Forces of Nigeria to protect civilians and restore peace to communities affected by insurgency.
The military high Command reassured residents that follow-up clearance operations are already underway to track fleeing insurgents, dismantle remaining terrorist support networks, and prevent future abductions across the region.
