Troops of the Joint Task Force (North East) Operation Hadin Kai (OPHK) have successfully rescued 360 abductees from a heavily fortified Jama’atu Ahlis Sunna Lidda’awati wal-Jihad (JAS) enclave in the Mandara Mountains of southern Borno State, in what military authorities described as one of the most significant hostage rescue operations in the North-East in recent years.
According to a statement issued by the Acting Media Information Officer of Operation Hadin Kai, Lieutenant Colonel Haruna M. Sani, the operation was the result of weeks of intensive intelligence gathering, covert reconnaissance, and meticulous planning by Special Forces and troops of Sector 1.
The rescued victims, comprising men, women and children, had been abducted from several communities, particularly within the Ngoshe axis, and held under harsh conditions by the insurgents.
The military disclosed that the operation was launched after credible intelligence from multiple sources revealed the precise location of the hostages and exposed an extensive support network sustaining the terrorist enclave.
Intelligence operatives subsequently combined Human Intelligence (HUMINT), Signals Intelligence (SIGINT), and Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (ISR) assets, including unmanned aerial systems and long-range reconnaissance patrols, to map the terrain and assess insurgent activities.
Military authorities said a major breakthrough came through the successful penetration of the terrorist network by intelligence assets who provided detailed information on the hostages’ locations, insurgent commanders, security arrangements and planned movements.
The operation was further supported by coordinated information and psychological operations that created confusion and mistrust among insurgent ranks, weakening their command and control structures ahead of the assault.
Acting on confirmed intelligence, Special Forces and Sector 1 troops launched a coordinated multi-axis operation under the cover of darkness. Blocking forces were deployed along likely escape routes while assault teams infiltrated the target area with support from real-time surveillance feeds.
The military said the operation achieved complete tactical surprise, overwhelming the terrorists before they could mount an organised response. Several insurgents reportedly fled into the surrounding mountainous terrain, while others surrendered.
Following the assault, troops secured the hostages, conducted medical screenings and evacuated them from the area. However, military authorities disclosed that two infants died from exhaustion caused by the difficult mountainous terrain and the hardships endured during their prolonged captivity.
The remaining 358 rescued victims were evacuated to safe locations where they are receiving medical attention and humanitarian assistance.
The Military High Command commended the troops for their courage, professionalism and discipline, describing the rescue as a testament to the effectiveness of intelligence-led operations and growing collaboration among security agencies.
It also assured the public that follow-up clearance and exploitation operations are ongoing to neutralise remaining terrorist elements, dismantle support networks and prevent future abductions in the region.
