Troops Rescue Abducted Mother, Child as Military Sustains Offensive Against Terrorists in North-East

Troops of Operation Hadin Kai (OPHK) have recorded significant operational successes in the North-East, rescuing abducted civilians, neutralising a terrorist fighter and compelling more family members of insurgents to surrender as military pressure intensifies across the region.

The development forms part of ongoing Operation Desert Sanity V and broader siege operations aimed at dismantling terrorist strongholds and restoring stability to communities affected by insurgency. In one of the latest breakthroughs, troops conducting offensive operations around the Amuda general area successfully rescued two abductees from Ngoshe community in Gwoza Local Government Area of Borno State.

The victims, identified as 20-year-old Maryam Muhammad and her infant son, Bello Muhammad, were among residents abducted during a terrorist attack on Ngoshe on March 3, 2026.

Military authorities disclosed that preliminary debriefing revealed the victims had been held captive within a terrorist enclave located in the Mandara Mountains before managing to escape.

According to the military, sustained fire missions against terrorist hideouts forced the insurgents to abandon several locations, creating an opportunity for the captives to flee. Following medical assessment and necessary support procedures, the mother and child were reunited with their family members through community leaders in Ngoshe.

Meanwhile, troops deployed in Wulgo and the proposed Combat Outpost (COP) at Jagarawaji, working alongside members of the Civilian Joint Task Force (CJTF), conducted extensive offensive operations across Wulgo, Gumsari and Hausari communities.

During the operation, security forces uncovered several indicators of terrorist activity, including makeshift medical facilities equipped with blood transfusion materials, antibiotics, ammunition and a uniform believed to belong to a terrorist commander. Troops also neutralised one terrorist during the operation without suffering any casualties.

Military authorities noted that the sustained offensive campaign continues to weaken terrorist structures and disrupt their ability to operate effectively within the region.

In another development, more family members linked to insurgent groups have reportedly abandoned terrorist camps and surrendered to military forces.

At the Gwoza axis, a 50-year-old woman identified as Ghwa'a Biwa escaped from a terrorist enclave in the Mandara Mountains and surrendered to troops of the 192 Battalion. She reportedly cited persistent military operations and deteriorating living conditions within the camps as reasons for her decision.

Similarly, two other individuals, identified as 19-year-old Binta Umaru and her two-year-old daughter Hafsat Ibrahim, escaped from another terrorist hideout and surrendered to troops stationed along the Gwoza-Limankara road.

The military said all surrendered individuals have undergone preliminary screening and documentation and remain in custody for further profiling in accordance with established procedures.

Operation Hadin Kai described the latest developments as evidence of the growing effectiveness of military operations and the gradual erosion of terrorist support structures within the North-East.

The military leadership commended troops for their resilience and professionalism, urging them to sustain the operational momentum as efforts continue to restore lasting peace, security and economic stability across the region.