By Harriet Tornguvan
Troops of the Joint Task Force North-East, Operation Hadin Kai (OPHK), have rescued two abductees, neutralised a terrorist, and recorded fresh surrenders of insurgents' family members as military operations intensify across the North-East theatre.
The latest achievements were recorded under Operation Desert Sanity V/Siege Operations, aimed at dismantling terrorist enclaves and restoring stability across the region.
According to a statement issued on Thursday by Lieutenant Colonel Sani Uba, Media Information Officer, Headquarters Joint Task Force (North East) Operation Hadin Kai, troops conducting offensive operations in the Amuda general area successfully intercepted and rescued two abductees from Ngoshe community in Gwoza Local Government Area of Borno State.
The rescued victims were identified as 20-year-old Mrs. Maryam Muhammad and her infant son, Bello Muhammad, aged one year and four months. They were among residents abducted during a terrorist attack on Ngoshe on March 3, 2026.
The military disclosed that preliminary debriefing revealed that the victims had been held captive in a terrorist enclave within the Mandara Mountains. They reportedly regained their freedom after sustained military fire missions on terrorist hideouts forced their captors to abandon them.
Following medical assessment, the victims were reunited with their family through community leaders in Ngoshe.
In a related development, troops deployed in Wulgo and the proposed Combat Outpost (COP) Jagarawaji, working alongside members of the Civilian Joint Task Force, conducted coordinated offensive operations across Wulgo, Gumsari and Hausari areas.
During the operation, troops discovered several signs of terrorist activity, including makeshift medical facilities equipped with blood transfusion materials and antibiotics, ammunition rounds, and a uniform believed to belong to a terrorist commander.
The troops also neutralised one terrorist during the operation without suffering any casualties.
The military further revealed that sustained pressure on insurgent hideouts continues to force family members of terrorists to flee and surrender to security forces.
At the Gwoza axis, a 50-year-old woman identified as Ghwa'a Biwa escaped from a terrorist camp in the Mandara Mountains and surrendered to troops of the 192 Battalion. She reportedly cited the persistent military offensive and worsening living conditions within the camps as reasons for her escape.
Similarly, Binta Umaru, 19, and her two-year-old daughter, Hafsat Ibrahim, escaped from another terrorist enclave in the Mandara Mountains and surrendered to troops along the Gwoza-Limankara road.
The military said all surrendered individuals had been screened, documented and taken into custody for further profiling in line with established procedures.
Operation Hadin Kai noted that the developments demonstrate the effectiveness of ongoing military operations and indicate the gradual collapse of terrorist support structures, particularly around the Mandara Mountains and border communities.
The Joint Task Force reaffirmed its commitment to sustaining pressure on terrorist groups, rescuing abducted civilians and restoring lasting peace, security and economic stability across the North East.
The Military High Command also commended troops for their operational successes and urged them to maintain the momentum in the collective interest of national security.
