Army rescues abducted women and children as troops intensify operations against Boko Haram and ISWAP in North-East Nigeria

The Nigerian Army has announced the rescue of six abducted women and children, alongside the neutralisation of terrorists and arrest of suspected collaborators during intensified operations across the North-East theatre under Operation HADIN KAI.

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The development was disclosed 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 statement, troops recorded the breakthroughs under Operation DESERT SANITY through sustained clearance operations and coordinated offensives targeting Boko Haram and ISWAP strongholds.

The Army said troops acted on credible intelligence to launch an operation at a suspected terrorist crossing point along the Amuda–Gava corridor in the Mandara Mountains axis on May 14, 2026.

During the operation, soldiers successfully rescued six abducted women and children from Ngoshe community who had reportedly been held captive by 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.

Army rescues abducted women as military authorities intensify efforts to dismantle terrorist networks and reunite victims with their families across conflict-affected communities in the North-East.

The statement disclosed that the victims were received by the Commander of the 26 Task Force Brigade, Brigadier General Nasirudeen Abdullahi, and given medical attention at the Brigade Medical Reception Station.

The rescued civilians were later reunited with their families through the assistance of the Ngoshe community leader, Mallam Bulama Kunda, and the Chief Imam of Ngoshe, Mallam Auwalu Hudu.

The Army stated that the brigade commander assured residents that troops would continue ongoing rescue missions until all abducted persons were safely returned home.

According to the military, a total of 60 women and children have been rescued since the March 3, 2026 attack on Ngoshe community.

The statement added that prayers were offered for troops by the Chief Imam as military personnel maintained what officials described as an aggressive operational posture in the area.

In separate coordinated offensives, troops reportedly neutralised terrorists during operations in Konduga Local Government Area of Borno State.

The Army disclosed that troops of Sector 1 carried out operations at Bazamri village, where two Boko Haram and ISWAP fighters were killed.

Items recovered during the operation included detergent, salt and cartons of spaghetti believed to have been intended for insurgents operating within the area.

The military confirmed that no soldiers were killed or injured during the operation and noted that troops had repositioned to sustain pressure on terrorist groups.

The statement further revealed that troops stationed at the Mainé checkpoint in Yobe State arrested a suspected Boko Haram collaborator identified as Ibrahim Alhaji Julo, 30.

The suspect was intercepted in a red Golf vehicle with Bauchi registration number KTG-397AA during an intelligence-led operation.

Preliminary investigations indicated that the suspect allegedly used the vehicle to transport terrorist elements and facilitate illegal tax collection within local communities.

Recovered items included a mobile phone and an undisclosed amount of money, while the suspect remains in military custody for further investigation.

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The Joint Task Force reaffirmed its commitment to sustaining aggressive operations aimed at dismantling terrorist networks, rescuing abducted civilians and restoring lasting peace and security across the North-East region.