Military Rescue 360 Kidnapped Victims in Borno
By Haruna Gimba
The troops of the Joint Task Force (North East), Operation HADIN KAI (OPHK), said it has rescued 360 abductees from a heavily fortified Jama’atu Ahlis Sunna Lidda’awati wal-Jihad (JAS) enclave in the Mandara Mountains area of southern Borno State.
The military described the operation as one of the most significant hostage rescue missions conducted in the North-East theatre in recent times.
The development was disclosed in a statement by the acting media information officer of Headquarters Joint Task Force (North East) Operation HADIN KAI, Lieutenant Colonel Haruna M. Sani.
According to him, the operation was the culmination of weeks of intelligence gathering, covert reconnaissance, and operational planning, resulting in the safe recovery of men, women, and children who had been held in captivity under harsh conditions after being abducted from several communities, particularly within the Ngoshe axis.
“The successful rescue underscores the growing operational reach, intelligence dominance, and tactical superiority of OPHK in denying terrorists freedom of action and protecting vulnerable populations across the theatre,” the statement said.
Lieutenant Colonel Sani said that the operation started after reliable information from various sources showed exactly where the hostages were and that there was a complex support system for the insurgents in the area.
He added that OPHK’s intelligence teams then started a detailed process to identify targets, which included using information from people (HUMINT), communication signals (SIGINT), and ongoing monitoring and scouting (ISR) done with drones and long-range patrols.
Meanwhile, Governor Professor Babagana Umara Zulum has commended the Nigerian military, particularly troops of Operation HADIN KAI, for the successful rescue of the 360 abductees.
Governor Zulum, in a statement by his Special Adviser on Media, Dauda Iliya, described the operation as a remarkable demonstration of courage, professionalism, and the growing effectiveness of intelligence-led military operations in the fight against insurgency in the North-East.
The governor noted that the mission, which led to the safe recovery of hundreds of men, women, and children held captive by terrorists, has renewed hope among affected communities and reaffirmed the commitment of the federal government, Nigerian military, and Borno State government to safeguarding lives and restoring lasting peace in the region.
“I wish to express my profound appreciation to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the Chief of Defence Staff, the Chief of Army Staff, the Theatre Commander of Operation HADIN KAI, officers, and soldiers who participated in this highly successful operation. Their gallantry, professionalism, and sacrifice have once again demonstrated the unwavering commitment of our Armed Forces to protecting innocent citizens,” Zulum stated.
“The rescue of 360 abductees from the Boko Haram stronghold is a significant achievement. It underscores the effectiveness of inter-agency collaboration and the determination of our security forces to ensure that no citizen is abandoned in the hands of insurgents and terrorists,” he added.
The governor also commended members of local communities for their support, understanding, and cooperation, which have contributed to the success of the operation.
He reaffirmed the Borno State government’s commitment to continue supporting the military and other security agencies through logistics to sustain their momentum in counter-insurgency and counter-terrorism operations.
Governor Zulum further urged the residents of Mussa, located in the Askira Uba local government area, to maintain their hope.
He urged the people of Mussa to maintain their hope, assuring them of the government’s commitment to securing the release of the school children.
He urged people of the state to remain vigilant, cooperate with security agencies, and continue providing credible information to assist ongoing operations aimed at eliminating criminal activities across the state.
