A major military operation has led to the rescue of 360 abductees from a fortified Boko Haram enclave in the Mandara Mountains of southern Borno State, marking one of the largest hostage recovery missions in Nigeria’s North-East in recent years.
The rescue was carried out by troops of the Joint Task Force (North East), Operation HADIN KAI (OPHK), following weeks of intelligence gathering, covert surveillance and operational planning.
In a statement, Acting Media Information Officer of OPHK, Lieutenant Colonel Haruna M. Sani, said the victims — comprising men, women and children — had been held under harsh conditions after being abducted from several communities, particularly around the Ngoshe axis.
According to the military, the operation was driven by credible intelligence that identified the exact location of the hostages and exposed an extensive insurgent support network sustaining the camp.
Military intelligence personnel combined Human Intelligence (HUMINT), Signals Intelligence (SIGINT) and continuous Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (ISR) operations using unmanned aerial systems and long-range patrols to build a detailed picture of the terrorist enclave.
The intelligence-led strategy enabled commanders to understand the terrain, insurgents’ defensive positions, movement patterns and the condition of the captives, significantly reducing risks during the rescue mission.
A breakthrough came after intelligence assets successfully infiltrated the terrorist network, providing critical information on hostage locations, insurgent commanders, security arrangements and planned relocation routes.
The military also employed coordinated information and psychological operations that reportedly created confusion and mistrust within insurgent ranks, weakening their command structure ahead of the assault.
Acting on confirmed intelligence, Special Forces and Sector 1 troops launched a carefully coordinated multi-axis attack. Assault teams infiltrated the area under the cover of darkness while blocking forces sealed off likely escape routes.
The operation achieved complete tactical surprise, overwhelming the insurgents before they could organise an effective response. Several fighters reportedly fled into the surrounding mountains, while others surrendered.
All hostages were secured, medically screened and evacuated from the area.
However, the military disclosed that two infants died from exhaustion linked to the difficult mountainous terrain and the hardships suffered during their prolonged captivity.
The Armed Forces High Command praised the professionalism and courage of the troops involved, describing the mission as evidence of the growing effectiveness of intelligence-driven operations and inter-agency collaboration in the fight against terrorism.
The military added that follow-up clearance operations are underway to eliminate remaining terrorist elements, dismantle support networks and prevent future abductions.
Meanwhile, the Borno South Youth Alliance (BOSYA) confirmed that all abductees from Ngoshe regained their freedom on Saturday night.
BOSYA President, Samaila Ibrahim-Kaigama, said that four babies born in captivity died from infections, while their mothers are receiving treatment at a government facility, Channels TV reports.
“We are happy and grateful that through our efforts, our persistent cries, and long discussions, the results are now being seen,” the group said.
The alliance welcomed the return of the women and children, describing their release as a moment of hope and relief for communities in Southern Borno. It also urged federal, state and local authorities to ensure proper screening, medical care and rehabilitation for the rescued victims.
