The Nigerian military, spearheaded by troops of Operation Hadin Kai (OPHK), has successfully rescued 360 residents of the Ngoshe community in Gwoza Local Council Area of Borno State. The abductees, primarily women and children, had been held captive by Boko Haram insurgents within a heavily fortified Jama’atu Ahlis Sunna Lidda’awati wal-Jihad (JAS) enclave deep within the Mandara Mountains. This significant hostage rescue operation, confirmed by Lieutenant Colonel Haruna M Sani on Sunday, June 7, 2026, underscores the growing effectiveness of intelligence-led military interventions in Nigeria’s North-East.

Borno State Governor, Babagana Zulum, lauded the Nigerian military for their gallantry and professionalism in securing the release of these citizens. Governor Zulum had previously engaged with the affected communities, visiting the people of Ngoshe on March 6, 2026. Following the rescue of the 360 abductees, who were reportedly kidnapped on Monday, April 3, 2026, he spent a night with the victims in Pulka town, Gwoza local government. There, he reiterated the commitment of both the federal and Borno State governments to ensuring the freedom of those still held captive. He further directed the immediate assessment and reconstruction of destroyed homes in Ngoshe to facilitate the return of its displaced inhabitants from Pulka.

Lieutenant Colonel Haruna M Sani, Acting Media Information Officer for Headquarters Joint Task Force (North East) Operation HADIN KAI, described the rescue as one of the most substantial hostage recovery operations conducted in the North-East theatre recently. The operation, carried out by OPHK Special Forces and troops of Sector 1, was the culmination of weeks of meticulous intelligence preparation, covert reconnaissance, and detailed operational planning. The victims had been abducted from various communities, particularly within the Ngoshe axis, and endured harsh conditions during their prolonged captivity.

The success of the mission was attributed to an intelligence-driven approach. OPHK intelligence elements initiated an extensive target development process, integrating Human Intelligence (HUMINT), Signals Intelligence (SIGINT), and persistent Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance (ISR) operations using unmanned aerial systems and long-range reconnaissance patrols. This sustained intelligence gathering and analysis provided commanders with a comprehensive understanding of the challenging terrain, insurgent dispositions, defensive arrangements, and the abductees' conditions, enabling precise mapping of the objective area and identification of vulnerabilities within the terrorist network.

A decisive breakthrough was achieved through the successful penetration of the terrorist network by carefully cultivated intelligence assets under the supervision of OPHK military intelligence personnel. These assets supplied timely and actionable intelligence regarding the exact locations of the abductees, insurgent commanders' dispositions, internal security measures, and planned relocation routes. Simultaneously, carefully coordinated information and psychological operations sowed uncertainty and mistrust among the insurgents, degrading their cohesion and disrupting command and control.

Acting on this confirmed intelligence, OPHK Special Forces and troops of Sector 1 launched a meticulously coordinated multi-axis operation designed to isolate the objective area, dominate key terrain, and prevent insurgent reinforcement or withdrawal. Supported by real-time ISR feeds, assault forces infiltrated the area under cover of darkness, while blocking forces secured likely escape routes. The operation achieved complete tactical surprise, overwhelming the terrorists before an organized response could be mounted. Faced with the speed, precision, and overwhelming combat power of the advancing troops, many insurgents abandoned their positions and fled into the mountainous terrain, while others surrendered.

Following the securing of the hostages, they were swiftly medically screened and evacuated from the objective area. Tragically, two infants succumbed to exhaustion caused by the extremely challenging mountainous terrain and the hardships endured during their prolonged captivity. The remaining rescued abductees were successfully moved to safe locations for medical treatment and humanitarian support, marking a major operational success and a significant setback for the terrorist group.

Governor Zulum, through his Special Adviser on Media, Dauda Iliya, described the operation as a remarkable demonstration of courage, professionalism, and the growing effectiveness of intelligence-led military operations in the fight against insurgency. He expressed profound appreciation to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the Chief of Defense Staff, the Chief of Army Staff, the Theatre Commander of Operation HADIN KAI, and all participating officers and soldiers. He also commended local communities for their invaluable support and cooperation, reaffirming the Borno State Government’s commitment to providing logistical assistance to security agencies to sustain counter-insurgency and counter-terrorism operations. Furthermore, the Governor urged residents of Mussa, in Askira Uba local government, to maintain hope for the release of school children and encouraged all citizens to remain vigilant and cooperate with security agencies by providing credible information.

The Military High Command has also lauded the courage, professionalism, and exceptional discipline displayed by all personnel involved in the operation. It emphasized that the successful rescue reflects the effectiveness of intelligence-led operations, the growing synergy among security stakeholders, and the unwavering resolve of the Armed Forces of Nigeria to protect innocent citizens and restore lasting peace to affected communities. The public was reassured that aggressive follow-on exploitation and clearance operations are ongoing to neutralize residual terrorist elements, dismantle remaining support networks, and prevent future abductions.