OPHK Forces Free 360 Hostages Held in Ngoshe, Borno

Troops of the Joint Task Force North East 'Operation HADIN KAI' (OPHK) have disclosed the strategies employed in rescuing 360 individuals, predominantly women and children, who were abducted by suspected Boko Haram/ISWAP terrorists during an invasion of the Ngoshe community in Gwoza local government area of Borno state.

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This rescue effort comes on the heels of an armed insurgent attack on Ngoshe on 3rd March, 2026, which was repelled by the military, resulting in the killing of dozens of terrorists.

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In a press statement issued on Sunday, Lieutenant Colonel Haruna Sani, Acting Media Information Officer of the Headquarters Joint Task Force North East Operation HADIN KAI, revealed that the rescue operation was conducted by a joint force comprising Special Forces and troops of Sector 1.

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The operation, which was the culmination of weeks of meticulous intelligence gathering and planning, successfully 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.

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The rescued individuals, including men, women, and children, had been held captive under harsh conditions after being abducted from several communities, particularly in the Ngoshe axis.

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The successful rescue underscores the growing operational capabilities and tactical superiority of OPHK in denying terrorists freedom of action and protecting vulnerable populations across the region.

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The operation was initiated following the receipt of credible intelligence from multiple sources indicating the precise location of the hostages and the existence of an insurgent support network sustaining the enclave.

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OPHK intelligence elements launched an extensive target development process, integrating Human Intelligence (HUMINT), Signals Intelligence (SIGINT), and persistent Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (ISR) operations conducted through unmanned aerial systems and long-range reconnaissance patrols.

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Through sustained intelligence collection and analysis, commanders developed a comprehensive understanding of the terrain, insurgent disposition, defensive arrangements, movement patterns, and the condition of the abductees.

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This intelligence-driven approach enabled the force to accurately map the objective area, identify vulnerabilities within the terrorist network, and significantly reduce risks to the hostages during the rescue mission, according to Lieutenant Colonel Sani.

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A decisive breakthrough was achieved through the successful penetration of the terrorist network by carefully cultivated intelligence assets operating under the supervision of OPHK military intelligence personnel.

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These assets provided timely and actionable intelligence regarding the exact locations of the abductees, the disposition of insurgent commanders, internal security measures, and planned relocation routes.

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Simultaneously, carefully coordinated information and psychological operations created uncertainty and mistrust within the insurgent ranks, degrading their cohesion and disrupting command and control arrangements.

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The resulting intelligence advantage provided OPHK with unprecedented situational awareness and enabled commanders to shape the operational environment well before the commencement of the assault phase.

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Acting on confirmed intelligence, OPHK Special Forces and troops of Sector 1 launched a meticulously coordinated multi-axis operation designed to isolate the objective area, dominate key terrain, and prevent insurgent reinforcement or withdrawal.

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Supported by real-time ISR feeds, assault forces infiltrated the objective area under the cover of darkness while blocking forces established positions along likely escape routes.

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The operation achieved complete tactical surprise, overwhelming the terrorists before an organised response could be mounted, with several insurgents abandoning their positions and fleeing into surrounding mountainous terrain, while others surrendered.

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The hostages were swiftly secured, medically screened, and evacuated from the objective area, although two infants succumbed to exhaustion occasioned by the challenging terrain and hardships endured during their prolonged captivity.

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The remaining rescued abductees were successfully evacuated to safe locations for medical care and humanitarian support, marking a major operational success and a significant setback for the terrorist group, according to Lieutenant Colonel Sani.

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The Military High Command has commended the courage, professionalism, and exceptional discipline displayed by all personnel involved in the operation, noting that the successful rescue reflects the effectiveness of intelligence-led operations and the growing synergy among security stakeholders.

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The Military High Command has reassured the public that aggressive follow-on exploitation and clearance operations are ongoing to neutralise residual terrorist elements, dismantle remaining support networks, and prevent future abductions.