Troops storm Mandara Mountains in Borno, rescue 360 terror victims

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.

The rescue operation was confirmed by Abdulsalam Abubakar, who said the coordinated mission was carried out across several locations around the Mandara Mountains on June 6.

According to him, Special Operations Forces conducted preliminary operations that disrupted terrorist camps and created confusion among the insurgents, enabling 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,” he said.

The Theatre Commander, however, disclosed that the operation suffered a tragic setback as two infants died during the rescue process due to the difficult terrain encountered while evacuating the victims to safety.

He stated that all rescued persons underwent medical screening immediately after arrival, while those requiring urgent medical attention were stabilised by military medical personnel and transferred to the General Hospital in Gwoza for treatment.

The victims were also provided with food, water and temporary shelter before being moved to a secure facility pending reunification with their families.

Meanwhile, the President of the Borno South Youth Alliance, Samaila Kaigama, also confirmed the release of the abductees, claiming the group played a mediatory role through sustained communication and negotiations.

“We have secured the release of all the 416 women and children from Ngoshe. They were released on June 6,” Kaigama said.

He expressed gratitude over the development, noting that months of engagement, appeals and discussions had eventually yielded results.

Kaigama further called on the Federal Government, the Borno State Government and relevant agencies to properly screen, document and support the released victims to ensure their successful reintegration into society.

The rescued victims were among hundreds of residents taken away when terrorists attacked Ngoshe community earlier this year, in one of the most significant mass abductions recorded in the area.