By Nkechi Eze
Troops of the Joint Task Force (North East), Operation HADIN KAI (OPHK), have recorded major operational successes in ongoing counterterrorism operations across the North-East, including the rescue of abducted civilians, arrest of suspected terrorist collaborators, recovery of weapons, and continued surrender of insurgents’ family members.
According to an official signed statement by the Media Information Officer, Headquarters Joint Task Force (North East) Operation HADIN KAI, Lieutenant Colonel Sani Uba, the achievements were recorded during ongoing Operation DESERT SANITY V and related siege operations across the theatre.
In one of the major breakthroughs, troops operating along the Ngoshe–Amuda axis in Gwoza Local Government Area of Borno State successfully rescued four abducted persons comprising two women and two children.
The rescued victims were identified as Salamatu Sidiq Ali, 19; Halima Idrisa, 20; Umar Abdullahi, 3; and Mustapha Abdullahi, 4. They were among residents abducted during the terrorist attack on Ngoshe community on March 3, 2026.
Preliminary debriefing revealed that the victims had been held in a terrorist enclave before they were rescued amid sustained military pressure on insurgent hideouts within the Mandara Mountains.
Following medical evaluation, the victims were safely reunited with their families through community leadership structures.
The military disclosed that a total of 65 abducted persons have so far been rescued during ongoing operations, while efforts continue to secure the freedom of others still in captivity.
In a related development, troops arrested a suspected terrorist collaborator, Mrs. Kellu Alhaji Abba, 50, at a military checkpoint in Baga, Kukawa Local Government Area.
Items recovered from the suspect included clothing materials and other supplies allegedly intended for delivery to a terrorist operative within the Dumba general area.
Similarly, troops apprehended another suspected logistics supplier, Mr. Amadu Abdu, 50, along the Dalori axis while allegedly transporting a large quantity of packaged items meant for insurgents.
According to the military, preliminary investigations revealed that the suspect had been supplying logistics support to terrorists in exchange for access to grazing areas.
Recovered items included packaged goods, a mobile phone, a cutlass, suspected illicit substances, and cash.
Troops, in conjunction with local hunters, also arrested four suspected cattle rustlers and terrorist collaborators at Kwaya Kusar Market.
The suspects were apprehended with stolen livestock and are currently undergoing investigation.
The military further disclosed that troops recorded the surrender of family members linked to Boko Haram and ISWAP terrorists during separate operations in the theatre.
Among those who surrendered were Aishatu Sale, 20, who surrendered in Bama Local Government Area, and Hauwa Abubakar, 70, who escaped from a terrorist enclave in the Mandara Mountains.
The surrendered individuals reportedly stated that sustained military offensives, combined with severe shortages of food and basic necessities within terrorist camps, forced them to abandon the insurgents’ enclaves.
All surrendered persons have since been profiled and are undergoing appropriate security and reintegration procedures.
In another operation, troops recovered one AK-47 rifle and a loaded magazine along a known terrorist withdrawal route, further degrading the operational capabilities of insurgent elements within the region.
Operation HADIN KAI stated that the recent operational gains reflect the sustained pressure being mounted against terrorist groups across the North-East theatre.
The military reaffirmed its commitment to restoring peace, security, and economic stability in the region while assuring residents that all necessary measures are being taken to neutralise threats and protect lives and property.
The Military High Command commended troops for their performance and urged them to sustain the operational momentum in the overall security and economic interest of the North-East region and Nigeria at large.
