Military frees six kidnapped victims, detains accomplices to extremist groups in Northern region

The Nigerian Army has announced that its troops, as part of the Joint Task Force (North East), Operation HADIN KAI, have successfully rescued six women and children who were abducted, in addition to neutralizing terrorists and apprehending suspected collaborators, during a series of operations conducted across the North-East region.

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These developments were disclosed in a statement released on Thursday by Lieutenant Colonel Sani Uba, the Media Information Officer for the Headquarters Joint Task Force (North East) Operation HADIN KAI.

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The successes were achieved under the umbrella of Operation DESERT SANITY, which involved sustained clearance operations and coordinated offensives across the theatre, according to the statement.

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Troops, acting on credible intelligence, conducted an operation at a suspected terrorist crossing point along the Amuda–Gava corridor in the Mandara Mountains axis on May 14, 2026, resulting in the interception and rescue of six abducted women and children from Ngoshe community who were being held captive by Boko Haram/ISWAP elements.

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The rescued victims, who 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, were received by Brigadier General Nasirudeen Abdullahi, the Commander of the 26 Task Force Brigade.

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The victims were provided with medical attention at the Brigade Medical Reception Station before being reunited with their families through the community leader, Mallam Bulama Kunda, and the Chief Imam of Ngoshe, Mallam Auwalu Hudu.

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Brigadier General Nasirudeen Abdullahi assured residents that troops would sustain ongoing rescue operations until all abducted persons are safely reunited with their families, as the Army continues to make progress in the region.

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A total of sixty women and children have been rescued since the attack on Ngoshe community on March 3, 2026, according to the statement.

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The Chief Imam offered prayers for the troops, while they continue to maintain an aggressive posture in the area, as part of their efforts to combat terrorism.

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In other coordinated operations, troops recorded additional successes, including the neutralization of terrorists during aggressive operations in Konduga Local Government Area, alongside the arrest of suspected collaborators in Konduga and Yobe State axes.

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Troops of Sector 1 carried out operations at Bazamri village in Konduga LGA, resulting in the neutralization of two Boko Haram/ISWAP terrorists, with recovered items including logistics supplies such as detergent, salt, and a carton of spaghetti.

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No casualties were recorded among the troops, while they have repositioned to sustain offensive pressure, as the military continues to gain ground against the insurgents.

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Troops deployed at Mainé checkpoint in Yobe State arrested a suspected Boko Haram collaborator, Ibrahim Alhaji Julo, 30, while conducting operations based on credible intelligence, with the suspect intercepted in a red Golf vehicle with registration number KTG-397AA (Bauchi State).

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Preliminary investigations indicated that Ibrahim Alhaji Julo was allegedly using his vehicle to convey terrorist elements and facilitate illegal tax collection within communities, with a mobile phone and some amount of money recovered from him, as he and the exhibits remain in custody for further investigation.

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The Joint Task Force assured the public of its unwavering commitment 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.

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The military high command commended troops for their utmost professionalism, resilience, and sustained operational success, urging them to maintain the current momentum in the fight against terrorism.