Troops of the Joint Task Force (North East), Operation Hadin Kai (OPHK), have run down one of the terrorists’ most heavily fortified enclaves in the Mandara Mountains area of southern Borno State and rescued 360 hostages in one of the most significant hostage recovery operations conducted in the North East theatre in recent times.

This was confirmed in a statement, in Abuja, on Sunday, by the acting Media Information Officer of Joint Task Force (North East) Operation Hadin Kai, Lt Col l Haruna Sani.

He explained that the operation was carried out by OPHK Special Forces and troops of Sector 1, who penetrated a Jama’atu Ahlis Sunna Lidda’awati wal-Jihad (JAS) stronghold deep within the mountainous terrain and secured the release of scores of men, women and children held captive under harsh conditions after being abducted from several communities, particularly within the Ngoshe axis.

The statement added that the operation was the culmination of weeks of painstaking intelligence preparation, covert reconnaissance and detailed operational planning, noting that the successful rescue highlighted the growing operational reach, intelligence dominance and tactical superiority of OPHK in denying terrorists freedom of action and protecting vulnerable populations across the theatre.

According to Sani, “The operation was launched following the receipt of credible and corroborated intelligence from multiple sources identifying the precise location of the hostages and exposing an extensive insurgent support network sustaining the enclave, stressing that this prompted OPHK intelligence elements to commence an extensive target development process involving the integration of Human Intelligence (HUMINT), Signals Intelligence (SIGINT), and persistent Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (ISR) operations conducted through unmanned aerial systems and long-range reconnaissance patrols.

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

“A major breakthrough was subsequently achieved through the successful penetration of the terrorist network by carefully cultivated intelligence assets operating under the supervision of OPHK military intelligence personnel. These assets provided timely and actionable intelligence on the exact locations of the abductees, the disposition of insurgent commanders, internal security arrangements and planned relocation routes.

He added: “At the same time, carefully coordinated information and psychological operations created uncertainty and mistrust within the insurgents’ ranks, weakening their cohesion and disrupting command and control structures. 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.

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

“The operation achieved complete tactical surprise, overwhelming the terrorists before they could mount an organised response. Faced with the speed, precision and overwhelming combat power of the advancing troops, several insurgents abandoned their positions and fled into the surrounding mountainous terrain, while others surrendered.”

In the statement, Sani further explained that the hostages were swiftly secured, medically screened and evacuated from the objective area.

He, however, pointed out that “regrettably, two infants succumbed to exhaustion caused by the extremely challenging mountainous terrain and the hardships endured during their prolonged captivity and that the remaining rescued abductees were successfully evacuated to safe locations for medical treatment and humanitarian support, marking a major operational success and a significant setback for the terrorist group.”

FG won’t surrender to terrorists —Tinubu

President Bola Tinubu has reassured Nigerians that his administration will not yield to terrorists, bandits, or any form of criminal intimidation, while pledging renewed efforts to address economic hardship and strengthen national security.

Tinubu gave the assurance on Sunday during the National Inter-Denominational Church Service, held at the National Christian Centre, Abuja, as part of activities marking the 2026 Democracy Day celebration.

READ ALSO: Sokoto: Troops foil terrorists’ attacks, rescue two kidnapped farmers

He was represented by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Senator George Akume, at the service themed “God of Hope, Actualise Our Dreams”.

The service was attended by dignitaries from all walks of life, including the Senate president, Godswill Akpabio; deputy Speaker House of Representatives, Honourable Benjamin Kalu; Minister of Foreign Affairs, Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu and the Head of Civil Service of the Federation, Mrs Didi Walson-Jack.

Akume said the government remains committed to easing the socio-economic challenges confronting citizens and ensuring the safe return of all persons held captive by criminal elements across the country.

He noted that while insecurity, kidnappings, and economic difficulties continue to affect many communities, the government is fully aware of the pains Nigerians are experiencing and is working tirelessly to provide lasting solutions.

According to him, President Tinubu is determined to deliver sustainable democratic dividends and will intensify efforts to improve the living conditions of citizens.

Zulum, Ndume commend military over rescue of 360 abductees in Ngoshe

Borno State governor, Professor Babagana Umara Zulum, has commended the military, particularly troops of Operation Hadin Kai, for the rescue of 360 abductees from the Mandara mountain, a notorious terrorists’ enclave in the southern part of the state.

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 has renewed hope among affected communities and reaffirmed the commitment of the Federal Government, the military, and state government to safeguarding lives and restoring lasting peace in the region.

Also, a former Senate Leader, Ali Ndume, commended the gallantry of men of the Nigerian Army in securing release of victims from the captivity of the insurgents.

Senator Ndume, in a statement, commended the military for the rescue operation, describing the weekend onslaught against the insurgents as remarkable.

The 360 victims, who had been in captivity since March, were rescued on Saturday.

The Nigerian Tribune gathered that six of the abducted civilians were rescued last month around Amuda, a deserted area between Ngoshe and Gava.

Troops rescue 10 victims in Plateau, Kaduna

Troops of Operation Enduring Peace have rescued eight abducted victims, including a pastor and his wife, just as they launched manhunt for fleeing criminal elements across Plateau and Kaduna states.

In a statement, Media Officer for Operation Enduring Peace, Captain Chinonso Polycarb Oteh, said troops of Sector 6, in Sopp District of Riyom Local Government Area of Plateau, responded to reports of suspected kidnappers who blocked the highway along the Hawan Kibo–Rafin Sayin axis at approximately 12:30 a.m., on Saturday.

Oteh said on arrival at the scene, the tactical team discovered an ash-coloured Honda vehicle abandoned in the middle of the road.

He said the troops immediately launched a thorough search and rescue operation in the surrounding bushes, adding that the response led to the rescue of six kidnapped passengers.

“The rescued individuals revealed that they boarded the commercial vehicle from Lafiya, Nasarawa State, and were bound for Jos when they were accosted by gunmen.

“While these victims are safe, the driver of the vehicle remains missing, and troops are maintaining an active search to locate and rescue him.”

In a related development, troops of Sector 5 operating in Bokkos also foiled kidnapping attempt at Faggem village in Bokkos Local Government Area of Plateau.

A chase by the troops led to the rescue of a pastor and his wife.

Similarly, troops of Sector 7, deployed in Ungwan Gora in Sanga Local Government Area of Kaduna, in the early hours of Sunday, responded to reports of suspected terrorists blocking the highway between Rafi Tagwai and Angwan Dariya.

“Upon arrival, troops discovered that the terrorists had kidnapped some passengers traveling in a commercial vehicle. Troops recovered eight empty cases of 7.62mm special ammunition at the scene and immediately plunged into the adjoining forest on a rescue mission,” Oteh said.

He added that troops during the pursuit rescued two injured passengers, stating that efforts are ongoing to rescue other kidnapped occupants of the vehicle.

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