Troops Rescue 360 Abducted Civilians in Borno, Two Infants Die During Operation
Troops of Operation Hadin Kai, working alongside Special Operations Forces, have rescued 360 civilians, mostly women and children, who were abducted by terrorists from Ngoshe community in Gwoza Local Government Area of Borno State.
Military sources disclosed that the rescue was achieved through a coordinated special operation conducted on June 6 across several fronts in the Mandara Mountains.
According to the sources, Special Operations Forces first carried out preliminary missions that disrupted terrorist camps and created confusion among the insurgents, enabling ground troops of the 26 Task Force Brigade to successfully extract the captives.
The rescued civilians were among residents kidnapped during a terrorist attack on Ngoshe community on March 3, 2026.
Despite the successful operation, two infants reportedly died during the rescue effort due to the harsh terrain and difficult conditions encountered while transporting the victims to safety.
The military said all rescued persons underwent immediate medical screening upon arrival. Those requiring urgent care 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 ahead of their handover to relevant authorities and eventual reunification with their families.
Security sources described the mission as a major 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 while the security situation in the area remains calm, it is still unpredictable, noting that troops’ morale and operational effectiveness remain high.
