Troops of Operation Hadin Kai rescued 12 kidnapping victims in a coordinated operation in the Mandara Mountains of Borno. The victims—seven women and five children—had been abducted by Boko Haram/ISWAP terrorists on 14 November along the Gwoza–Limankara road. The rescue was carried out by the 26 Task Force Brigade, 192 Battalion, operatives of the Brigade Garrison, and supporting hybrid forces, hunters and vigilantes.
Advancing along the foot of the Mandara Mountains, the troops engaged the terrorists with superior firepower. Overwhelmed, the insurgents abandoned the captives and fled. The victims, who had taken shelter in nearby bushes during the exchange of fire, emerged around 8:45 a.m. and were evacuated to safety. 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, receiving treatment for blisters and injuries sustained during captivity. Many recounted severe beatings while they were held. After receiving care and meals, the victims were handed over to the representative of the Chairman of Gwoza Local Government Area for reunification with their families.
The Chief of Army Staff commended the troops for the successful operation and urged them to sustain offensives against terrorists across all theatres. This rescue marks a significant development in the ongoing fight against terrorism in the region, demonstrating the military’s commitment to protecting civilians and combating insurgency in Nigeria. The Boko Haram/ISWAP insurgency has long been a major security challenge, especially in the northeast, responsible for numerous kidnappings, bombings and attacks on civilians and military personnel. Recent military efforts have yielded substantial results, with many terrorists killed or captured and several communities liberated. The liberation of the 12 victims underscores the army’s determination to safeguard civilians and restore peace in the area.
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