Troops of Operation Hadin Kai, working alongside Special Operations Forces, have rescued 360 civilians, mostly women and children, who were abducted by terrorists from Ngoshe community in Gwoza Local Government Area of Borno State.

The successful rescue operation was carried out on June 6 across multiple fronts in the Mandara Mountains, according to the Theatre Commander of the North-East Joint Task Force, Operation Hadin Kai, Major General Abdulsalam Abubakar.

Abubakar explained that Special Operations Forces first conducted preliminary missions that disrupted and disoriented terrorist elements in the area, creating the conditions for troops of the 26 Task Force Brigade to move in and safely extract the captives.

The rescued victims were among residents of Ngoshe who were kidnapped during a terrorist attack on the community on March 3, 2026.

The commander, however, disclosed that the operation suffered a tragic setback as two infants died during the evacuation process due to the harsh terrain and difficult conditions encountered while transporting the victims to safety.

Following their rescue, all the victims underwent immediate medical screening. Those requiring urgent medical attention were stabilized by military medical personnel and subsequently admitted to the General Hospital in Gwoza for further treatment.

Abubakar added that the rescued civilians were provided with food, water, and other immediate relief items before being moved to a secure facility. He said arrangements were being made for their handover to the appropriate authorities and eventual reunification with their families.

The military described the operation as a significant success in ongoing efforts to dismantle terrorist networks and secure communities across the North-East region.