Security forces free six kidnapped females from Ngoshe in raid on Boko Haram/ISWAP militants

Troops of the Joint Task Force (North East) Operation HADIN KAI (OPHK) have successfully rescued six women who were abducted by suspected Boko Haram/ISWAP terrorists in Ngoshe village, Gwoza Local Government Area in Borno state, according to a statement by Lt. Col. Sani Uba, the Media Information Officer Headquarters Joint Task Force North East Operation HADIN KAI.

n

The rescue operation was made possible by sustained offensive actions, including recent air interdiction missions targeting terrorist enclaves in the Mandara Mountains, which ultimately led to the interception and rescue of the six women and children around Amuda, a deserted area between Ngoshe and Gava known for terrorist transit activities.

n

The rescued victims, who were identified as Mrs. Zainab Idris, 18, Fatima Abubakar, 17, Maimuna Abdulrashid, 24, Muhammad Idris, 1, Sadiq Abdullahi, 7, and Fatima Abdulrashid, 5, were among residents abducted during the terrorist attack on Ngoshe community on 3 March 2026 and had been held in captivity at a terrorist enclave in Gava before escaping.

n

Preliminary debriefings revealed that the victims had been held captive for several weeks before managing to escape, and during the rescue, troops came under sporadic enemy fire as fleeing terrorists attempted to pursue the escapees.

n

The troops responded decisively, engaging the terrorists in a brief exchange of fire, forcing them to withdraw into the mountainous terrain, and ultimately securing the safe rescue of the six women and children.

n

The successful rescue operation is attributed to intensified operational pressure on terrorist elements, which has significantly degraded their cohesion and heightened internal disarray, with intelligence indicating that the terrorists are increasingly desperate and paranoid.

n

Following the rescue, the victims were immediately administered first aid and medical checks at a military facility before being formally handed over to community authorities, and at about 1400 hours the same day, they were successfully reunited with their families.

n

The reunion ceremony, which was witnessed by community members, was facilitated by the Wali of Ngoshe, Alhaji Shuaibu Dabawa, and marked a significant moment in the ongoing efforts to rescue abducted persons and eliminate terrorist elements from the region.

n

The Armed Forces of Nigeria has reassured the public of their unwavering commitment to securing all communities, rescuing abducted persons, and eliminating terrorist elements from all enclaves across the North East region, with troops' morale and fighting efficiency remaining high as operations continue with renewed vigour.

n

Members of the public are encouraged to continue providing timely and credible information to support ongoing military operations, in the security, peace, and economic interest of the North East region, as the military continues to rely on community support to drive their efforts.

n

The Military High Command has commended the troops for their impressive battle performance, urging them to sustain aggressive operations to dominate the battlespace, according to Lt. Col. Sani Uba.