Six civilians abducted during a deadly attack in Borno State have regained freedom after troops of Operation HADIN KAI intercepted and rescued them during a military operation in the Mandara Mountains.
The development was disclosed in a statement posted on May 1 2026, on the official page of the Nigerian Army.
According to the military, the victims were rescued in the early hours of the day around Amuda, a deserted corridor between Ngoshe and Gava in Gwoza Local Government Area, known for terrorist movements.
The operation followed sustained offensives and air strikes targeting insurgent enclaves in the Mandara axis, which troops say have continued to weaken terrorist positions in the region.
Military sources explained that the troops, while returning from a separate overnight mission, stumbled on the victims and moved swiftly to secure them.
The rescued persons were identified as Zainab Idris 18year old, Fatima Abubakar 17, Maimuna Abdulrashid 24; alongside three children, Muhammad Idris 1year old, Sadiq Abdullahi 7 and Fatima Abdulrashid 5.
Preliminary findings showed that they were among residents abducted during the March 3 attack on Ngoshe community and had been held in captivity before escaping from a terrorist camp.
During the rescue, troops reportedly came under gunfire from fleeing insurgents attempting to intercept the victims.
“The troops responded decisively, forcing the terrorists to retreat into the mountainous terrain,” the statement noted.
The military linked the rescue to intensified pressure on terrorist groups in the area, saying recent operations have disrupted their structure and triggered confusion within their ranks.
Following the operation, the victims were given immediate medical attention before being handed over to community leaders.
They were later reunited with their families in Ngoshe in what officials described as an emotional homecoming witnessed by residents.
The Nigerian Army reaffirmed its commitment to sustaining operations across the North-East, assuring that efforts to rescue abducted persons and dismantle terrorist networks remain ongoing.
Authorities also called on residents to continue providing credible information to support security operations in the region.
