By Miriam Humbe
Troops of the Joint Task Force (North East) Operation HADIN KAI (OPHK), under the ongoing Operation DESERT SANITY V and Siege Operations, have recorded significant operational successes including the rescue of abducted civilians, arrest of terrorist collaborators, recovery of weapons, and continued surrender of insurgents’ family members across the theatre.
Lt Col Sani Uba, the Media Information Officer, Headquarters Joint Task Force (North East) Operation HADIN KAI disclosed this in a statement signed on Friday.
In a major breakthrough, troops of OPHK, while on operation along the Ngoshe–Amuda axis in Gwoza Local Government Area, successfully intercepted and rescued four abducted persons comprising two women and two children.
The victims—Salamatu Sidiq Ali (19), Halima Idrisa (20), Umar Abdullahi (3), and Mustapha Abdullahi (4)—were among residents abducted during the terrorist attack on Ngoshe community on March 3, 2026.
Preliminary debrief revealed that the victims had been held at a terrorist enclave , but were rescued amid intense military pressure on insurgent hideouts in the Mandara Mountains.
Following medical evaluation, the rescued victims were safely reunited with their families through community leadership. So far, a total of 65 abducted persons have been rescued, while efforts are ongoing to secure the release of others.
In a related development, troops of OPHK apprehended a suspected terrorist collaborator, Mrs. Kellu Alhaji Abba (50), at a checkpoint in Baga, Kukawa Local Government Area.
Items recovered from the suspect included clothing materials and other supplies. Preliminary investigation indicates that the items were intended for delivery to a terrorist operative in the Dumba general area.
Similarly, troops arrested another suspected logistics supplier, Mr. Amadu Abdu (50), along the Dalori axis.
The suspect was intercepted while transporting a large quantity of packaged items allegedly meant for terrorists.
Further investigation revealed that he had been supplying logistics to insurgents in exchange for access to grazing areas.
Recovered items included packaged goods, a mobile phone, a cutlass, suspected illicit substances, and cash.
Additionally, troops of OPHK in conjunction with local hunters arrested four suspected cattle rustlers and terrorist collaborators at Kwaya Kusar Market.
The suspects were apprehended with stolen livestock and are currently undergoing investigation.
Troops also recorded the surrender of family members linked to Boko Haram/ISWAP terrorists. Among them are Aishatu Sale (20), who surrendered in Bama Local Government Area, and Hauwa Abubakar (70), who escaped from a terrorist enclave in the Mandara Mountains.
The surrendered individuals disclosed that sustained military pressure and lack of basic necessities within terrorist camps compelled their decision to flee. All surrendered persons have been profiled and are undergoing appropriate procedures.
In another development, troops on operation recovered one AK-47 rifle and a loaded magazine along a known terrorist withdrawal route, further degrading the operational capabilities of insurgents.
These successes underscore the sustained operational pressure being mounted against terrorist elements across the North East theatre.
Operation HADIN KAI reiterates its commitment to restoring peace, security and economic stability in the North East region and assures the public that all necessary measures are being taken to neutralise threats and safeguard lives and property in the region.
The Military High Command has commended the troops for their impressive battle performance and urged them to sustain the operational tempo in the security, peace and economic interest of the North East region and Nigeria as a whole.
