Troops storm Mandara hideout, rescue abducted women as terrorists flee under fire in Borno
Six Civilians Rescued by Nigerian Troops in Borno State
Six civilians who were abducted during a violent attack in Borno State have been freed by troops from Operation HADIN KAI. The rescue occurred during a military operation in the Mandara Mountains.
The Nigerian Army announced the development in a statement released on May 1, 2026. According to the military, the victims were located in the early hours near Amuda, a desolate area known for insurgent activity, between the towns of Ngoshe and Gava in Gwoza Local Government Area.
This operation was part of ongoing offensives, including airstrikes, aimed at targeting insurgent positions in the Mandara region. Military sources reported that the troops, while returning from a separate overnight mission, discovered the victims and acted quickly to secure their safety.
The rescued individuals included Zainab Idris, 18, Fatima Abubakar, 17, Maimuna Abdulrashid, 24, and three children: Muhammad Idris, 1, Sadiq Abdullahi, 7, and Fatima Abdulrashid, 5. Initial investigations indicated that they were among the residents kidnapped during an attack on the Ngoshe community on March 3 and had managed to escape from a terrorist camp.
During the rescue operation, the troops encountered gunfire from fleeing insurgents attempting to prevent the escape of the victims. “The troops responded decisively, forcing the terrorists to retreat into the mountainous terrain,” the statement read.
The military attributed the successful rescue to increased pressure on terrorist groups in the area, stating that recent operations have disrupted their organizational structure and caused confusion among their ranks.
After the operation, the rescued individuals received immediate medical assistance before being handed over to community leaders. They were subsequently reunited with their families in Ngoshe, an emotional homecoming witnessed by local residents.
The Nigerian Army reiterated its commitment to ongoing military operations in the North-East, emphasizing that efforts to rescue abducted individuals and dismantle terrorist networks remain a priority. Authorities also urged community members to continue providing reliable information to support security initiatives in the region.
