North East: Army Rescues 360 Abducted Women, Children

The Nigerian Army rescued 360 abducted women and children from terrorists in Borno under Operation Hadin Kai, though two infants died during evacuation due to difficult terrain conditions.

Troops of the Nigerian Army under Operation Hadin Kai, in collaboration with Special Operations Forces, have rescued 360 civilians, mostly women and children, abducted by terrorists from Ngoshe community in Gwoza Local Government Area of Borno State.

The Theatre Commander of the North East Joint Task Force, Major General Abdulsalam Abubakar, disclosed this in a statement, noting that the rescue operation was carried out on June 6, 2026 across multiple locations around the Mandara Mountains.

He explained that Special Operations Forces first conducted preliminary missions that created confusion within terrorist enclaves, enabling ground troops from the 26 Task Force Brigade to successfully extract the captives.

According to him, the victims were among residents abducted during a terrorist attack on Ngoshe community on March 3, 2026.

“The rescued civilians were among residents abducted during a terrorist attack on Ngoshe community on March 3, 2026,” he said.

However, the operation recorded a tragic outcome as two infants reportedly died during the rescue due to the difficult terrain and harsh conditions encountered while evacuating the victims to safety.

Military authorities said the operation marks a significant success in ongoing counter-terrorism efforts in the North East, where troops continue to carry out coordinated strikes against insurgent groups operating in the region.

The rescued persons are expected to undergo medical checks, rehabilitation, and psychological support as part of post-rescue procedures.