Troops Rescue 360 Abductees in Major Offensive Against Boko Haram Stronghold in Borno

The Nigerian military says its troops have rescued 360 abductees, including women and children, from a heavily fortified Boko Haram enclave in the Mandara Mountains of southern Borno State following what it described as one of the most significant hostage rescue operations conducted in the North-East in recent years.

In a statement on Sunday, the Acting Media Information Officer of Operation Hadin Kai, Lt. Col. Haruna M. Sani, said Special Forces and troops of Sector 1 carried out the operation after weeks of intelligence gathering, covert reconnaissance and meticulous planning. 

According to Sani, the operation targeted a Jama’atu Ahlis Sunna Lidda’awati wal-Jihad (JAS) stronghold where hundreds of abductees from several communities, particularly within the Ngoshe axis, had been held captive under harsh conditions. 

“The successful rescue underscores the growing operational reach, intelligence dominance and tactical superiority of Operation Hadin Kai in denying terrorists freedom of action and protecting vulnerable populations across the theatre,” Sani stated.

He explained that military intelligence operatives relied on a combination of Human Intelligence (HUMINT), Signals Intelligence (SIGINT), and Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (ISR) assets to identify the exact location of the hostages and map the insurgents’ network before launching the operation. 

According to the military spokesman, a breakthrough came after intelligence assets successfully penetrated the terrorist network, providing detailed information on the hostages’ location, insurgent commanders and internal security arrangements within the enclave.

Sani said troops subsequently launched a coordinated multi-axis assault under the cover of darkness, isolating the objective area and blocking escape routes. 

“The operation achieved complete tactical surprise, overwhelming the terrorists before an organised response could be mounted,” he said.

He disclosed that several insurgents fled into surrounding mountainous terrain while others surrendered as troops secured the hostages and commenced evacuation procedures. 

The military spokesman, however, said two infants died during the evacuation due to exhaustion caused by the difficult terrain and the conditions they endured during captivity. 

The remaining rescued victims were evacuated to safe locations for medical attention and humanitarian assistance, he added.

Sani said the Military High Command had commended troops involved in the mission for their professionalism, courage and discipline, describing the operation as a major setback for terrorist elements operating in the region.

He added that clearance and follow-up operations were continuing to track fleeing insurgents, dismantle support networks and prevent future abductions.