Zulum Hails Military for Rescuing 360 Ngoshe Abductees from Boko Haram Enclave

Borno State Governor, Prof. Babagana Zulum, has commended the Nigerian military, particularly troops of Operation Hadin Kai, for the successful rescue of 360 abductees from a Boko Haram stronghold in the Mandara Mountains of southern Borno State.

The Governor described the operation as a major breakthrough in the ongoing fight against insurgency, saying it reflects the growing effectiveness of intelligence-driven military operations and offers renewed hope to communities affected by years of terrorist violence.

In a statement issued by his Special Adviser on Media, Dauda Iliya, on Sunday, Zulum praised the courage, professionalism and sacrifice displayed by the troops involved in the operation, which led to the safe recovery of hundreds of men, women and children who had been held captive by insurgents.

According to the Governor, the rescue mission has further reinforced the commitment of the Federal Government, the Nigerian Armed Forces and the Borno State Government to protecting citizens and restoring lasting peace across the North-East region.

“I wish to express my profound appreciation to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the Chief of Defence Staff, the Chief of Army Staff, the Theatre Commander of Operation Hadin Kai, officers and soldiers who participated in this highly successful operation,” Zulum said.

“Their gallantry, professionalism and sacrifice have once again demonstrated the unwavering commitment of our Armed Forces to protecting innocent citizens.”

The Governor noted that the rescue of the 360 abductees from the insurgents enclave was a significant achievement that underscores the value of inter-agency cooperation and sustained military pressure against terrorist groups operating in the region.

“The rescue of 360 abductees from the Boko Haram stronghold is a significant achievement. It underscores the effectiveness of inter-agency collaboration and the determination of our security forces to ensure that no citizen is abandoned in the hands of insurgents and terrorists,” he added.

The rescue operation comes months after insurgents attacked communities around the Ngoshe axis, forcing many residents to flee their homes and seek refuge in safer locations.

Following the attacks, Zulum personally visited Ngoshe on March 6, 2026, to assess the situation and reassure residents of government support. Two weeks later, he spent the night in Pulka, Gwoza Local Government Area, where many displaced residents had taken shelter, pledging that efforts were ongoing to secure the release of those still held captive.

The Governor also visited Ngoshe community and directed the immediate assessment and reconstruction of homes destroyed during the attacks to facilitate the return of displaced residents to their ancestral communities.

Zulum further commended local residents for their resilience and cooperation with security agencies, noting that community support remains critical to ongoing counterinsurgency operations.

He reaffirmed the Borno State Government’s commitment to supporting the military and other security agencies through the provision of logistics and operational assistance aimed at sustaining recent gains recorded against insurgents.

The Governor also extended words of encouragement to residents of Mussa in Askira-Uba Local Government Area, urging them not to lose hope as efforts continue to secure the release of schoolchildren reportedly abducted from the area.

He called on residents across the state to remain vigilant, cooperate with security agencies and continue providing credible intelligence that could assist ongoing operations targeted at eliminating criminal and terrorist activities.

According to him, lasting peace can only be achieved through sustained collaboration between security forces and local communities determined to defeat insurgency and restore normalcy to affected areas.