In a bold and well-executed operation, troops of the Joint Task Force North East (Operation HADIN KAI) have successfully rescued 360 men, women, and children held captive by Jama’atu Ahlis Sunna Lidda’awati wal-Jihad (JAS) terrorists in a heavily fortified enclave within the Mandara Mountains of southern Borno State.
Following weeks of intensive intelligence gathering, Special Forces and Sector 1 troops launched a coordinated multi-axis assault that achieved complete tactical surprise.
The hostages were swiftly secured and evacuated, while several terrorists fled or surrendered.
Military sources said the rescue followed a coordinated special operation conducted on June 6 across multiple fronts around the Mandara Mountains.
According to the sources, Special Operations Forces initially carried out preliminary missions that created confusion within terrorist camps, paving the way for ground troops of the 26 Task Force Brigade to successfully extract the captives.
The rescued civilians were among residents abducted during a terrorist attack on Ngoshe community on March 3, 2026.
However, the operation recorded a tragic setback as two infants died during the rescue effort due to the harsh and difficult terrain encountered while moving the victims to safety.
The military said all rescued persons underwent immediate medical screening upon arrival, while those requiring urgent medical attention were stabilised by brigade medical personnel and admitted to the General Hospital in Gwoza for treatment.
The victims were also provided with food and water before being moved to a secure holding facility pending their handover to relevant authorities and reunification with their families.
Security sources described the operation as a significant humanitarian and operational success in ongoing efforts to dismantle terrorist networks and rescue civilians held captive in remote areas of the North-East.
They added that the general security situation in the area remained calm but unpredictable, while troops’ morale and operational effectiveness remained high.
