Troops Rescue 6 Ngoshe Community Abductees in Mandara Mountains
Troops of Operation HADIN KAI have rescued six abducted civilians in Ngoshe community, Gwoza Local Government Area of Borno State, in a development that underscores ongoing military pressure on terrorist groups in Nigeria’s North East.
The Joint Task Force (North East) disclosed that the victims—three women and three children—were intercepted and freed in the early hours of May 1, 2026, during a follow-up movement after a successful overnight offensive operation in the Mandara Mountains.
Military sources said the rescue was made possible through sustained offensive actions, including recent air interdiction missions targeting terrorist hideouts in the mountainous region. Acting on credible intelligence, troops encountered the victims around Amuda, a deserted corridor between Ngoshe and Gava known for insurgent movements.
The rescued individuals were identified as Zainab Idris (18), Fatima Abubakar (17), Maimuna Abdulrashid (24), alongside three children: Muhammad Idris (1), Sadiq Abdullahi (7), and Fatima Abdulrashid (5).
Preliminary debriefings indicated that they were among residents abducted during a terrorist attack on Ngoshe community on March 3, 2026. They had reportedly been held at a terrorist enclave in Gava before managing to escape captivity.
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During the rescue operation, troops came under sporadic gunfire from fleeing insurgents attempting to pursue the escapees. The soldiers engaged the attackers in a brief exchange, forcing them to retreat into the rugged terrain of the Mandara Mountains.
Military authorities linked the successful operation to intensified pressure on terrorist elements, which they said has weakened their cohesion and triggered internal disarray. Intelligence reports suggest increasing desperation among the insurgents, marked by growing paranoia and a rise in escape attempts by captives.
Following their rescue, the victims received immediate medical attention at a military facility before being handed over to community leaders. They were later reunited with their families at about 2:00 p.m. the same day in an emotional ceremony facilitated by the Wali of Ngoshe, Alhaji Shuaibu Dabawa, and witnessed by residents.
The Armed Forces of Nigeria reiterated their commitment to securing communities across the North East, rescuing abducted persons, and dismantling terrorist enclaves. The military also urged members of the public to continue providing credible intelligence to support ongoing operations.
The High Command commended the troops for their performance and called for sustained offensive actions to maintain dominance in the operational theatre.
By PRNigeria
