Troops of Operation Hadin Kai have rescued 12 kidnap victims in a coordinated operation in the Mandara Mountains area of Borno. According to a military source, the victims, comprising seven women and five children, were abducted by Boko Haram/ISWAP terrorists on November 14 along the Gwoza–Limankara road.
The rescue operation was carried out by troops of 26 Task Force Brigade, 192 Battalion, operatives of the Brigade Garrison, and supporting Hybrid Forces, hunters, and vigilantes. The military personnel advanced along the foot of the Mandara Mountains, engaging the terrorists with superior firepower. The insurgents, unable to withstand the volume of fire, abandoned the captives and fled.
The victims, who had scattered into nearby bushes for safety during the exchange of fire, emerged around 8:45 a.m. and were evacuated to safety by the troops. The women, identified as Fadi Musa, Jummai Manga, Hamsatu Musa, Jummai Ali, Inna Amadu, Falmata Musa, and Hadiza Hamman, reported that the terrorists escaped during the intense firefight, leaving them behind.
The rescued women and children were taken to the brigade field ambulance for medical attention, where they received treatment for blisters and injuries sustained during their captivity. Many reported being severely beaten while in captivity. After receiving care and being served meals, the victims were handed over to the representative of the Chairman, Gwoza Local Government Area, for reunification with their families.
The Chief of Army Staff has commended the troops for their successful operation and urged them to sustain offensives against the terrorists across all theatres. The rescue operation is a significant development in the ongoing efforts to combat terrorism in the region. The military’s success in rescuing the kidnap victims demonstrates its commitment to protecting civilians and combating insurgency in Nigeria.
The Boko Haram/ISWAP insurgency has been a major security challenge in Nigeria, particularly in the northeastern region. The group has been responsible for numerous kidnappings, bombings, and attacks on civilians and military personnel. The military’s efforts to combat the insurgency have yielded significant results, with many terrorists being killed or captured, and several communities being liberated. The rescue of the 12 kidnap victims is a testament to the military’s determination to protect civilians and restore peace in the region.
