Troops rescue kidnap victims, arrest alleged Boko Haram collaborators

Troops of the Joint Task Force (North East), Operation HADIN KAI, have intensified military offensives across the North-East, rescuing six abducted women and children, killing suspected terrorists and arresting alleged Boko Haram collaborators during a series of coordinated operations.

The Nigerian Army disclosed the development in a statement issued on Thursday by the Media Information Officer of Headquarters Joint Task Force (North East) Operation HADIN KAI, Lieutenant Colonel Sani Uba.

According to the military, the operations were carried out under Operation DESERT SANITY as part of ongoing efforts to dismantle terrorist networks and restore security across troubled communities in the region.

The Army said troops launched one of the major operations on May 14, 2026, after acting on “credible intelligence” about movements around a suspected terrorist crossing point along the Amuda–Gava corridor within the Mandara Mountains axis.

During the raid, soldiers reportedly “successfully intercepted and rescued six abducted women and children” who had been kidnapped from Ngoshe community by Boko Haram and ISWAP insurgents.

The rescued victims were identified as Amina Salihu, 52; Aishatu Musa, 50; twin sisters Hassana and Hussaina Abubakar, both aged nine; Adamu Zakariyya, 12; and Usman Zakariyya, 10.

Military authorities said the victims were immediately taken into custody for medical care and rehabilitation after the operation.

According to the statement, the rescued civilians were received by the Commander of the 26 Task Force Brigade, Brigadier General Nasirudeen Abdullahi, and were “provided with medical attention at the Brigade Medical Reception Station” before being reunited with their relatives.

The handover process was reportedly facilitated through community leaders, including Mallam Bulama Kunda and the Chief Imam of Ngoshe, Mallam Auwalu Hudu.

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The commander assured residents that troops would “sustain ongoing rescue operations until all abducted persons are safely reunited with their families.”

The Army further disclosed that “a total of Sixty women and children have been rescued” since terrorists attacked Ngoshe community on March 3, 2026.

The military noted that special prayers were also offered for the troops by the Chief Imam “while troops continue to maintain an aggressive posture in the area.”

Beyond the rescue operation, troops also recorded additional battlefield successes in Konduga Local Government Area of Borno State, where soldiers engaged suspected Boko Haram and ISWAP fighters during clearance missions.

The Army stated that troops of Sector 1 carried out coordinated offensives around Bazamri village in Konduga LGA, resulting in “the neutralisation of two Boko Haram/ISWAP terrorists.”

During the operation, soldiers reportedly recovered food items and supplies believed to have been meant for insurgents, including “logistics supplies such as detergent, salt, and a carton of spaghetti.”

Military authorities added that “no own troops’ casualties were recorded,” noting that troops had “repositioned to sustain offensive pressure” against fleeing insurgents.

In a separate operation in Yobe State, troops stationed at the Mainé checkpoint arrested a suspected Boko Haram collaborator identified as Ibrahim Alhaji Julo, aged 30.

The arrest, according to the Army, followed intelligence reports linking the suspect to terrorist logistics and illegal activities within affected communities.

The statement revealed that the suspect was intercepted in “a red Golf vehicle with registration number KTG-397AA (Bauchi State),” while preliminary findings suggested he had allegedly been “using his vehicle to convey terrorist elements and facilitate illegal tax collection within communities.”

Items recovered from the suspect included “a mobile phone and some amount of money,” while both the suspect and recovered exhibits remain in military custody for further investigation.

Reaffirming its commitment to ongoing counterterrorism operations, the Joint Task Force assured residents that troops would continue aggressive offensives aimed at crippling insurgent activities across the region.

The military said it remained committed to “sustaining aggressive operations aimed at dismantling terrorist networks, rescuing abducted civilians, denying terrorists freedom of action, and restoring lasting peace, security and economic stability across the North East region.”

The high command also praised troops for their “utmost professionalism, resilience, and sustained operational success,” while urging personnel to maintain momentum in the ongoing fight against terrorism.

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