……. As Ndume hails military, others
By Salihu Pirkusu, Maiduguri
Troops of North East Joint Task Force ‘Operation Hadin Kai’ (OPHK), in conjunction with Special Operations Forces, have on Saturday rescued about 360 civilians, mainly women and children, abducted by terrorists from Ngoshe community in Gwoza Local Government Area of Borno State.
Military sources said the success story followed a coordinated special operation conducted on June 6 across multiple fronts around the Mandara Mountains.
Unfortunately, many individuals and groups also claimed that they actively participated in the negotiation process which led to freeing the captives, even as they failed to disclose whether ransom were paid or not.
According to the sources, “Special Operations Forces initially carried out preliminary missions that created confusion within terrorist camps, paving the way for ground troops of the 26 Task Force Brigade to successfully extract the captives”.
The rescued civilians were among residents abducted during a terrorist attack on Ngoshe community on March 3, 2026.
Initially, OPHK Troops had given an update to the media in rescuing few out of the over 400 captives during operations around the Mandara Mountains belived to the hideouts of insurgents.
However, the latest operation recorded a tragic setback as two infants died during the rescue effort due to the harsh and difficult terrain encountered while moving the victims to safety.
The military Source said “all rescued persons underwent immediate medical screening upon arrival, while those requiring urgent medical attention were stabilised by brigade medical personnel and admitted to the General Hospital in Gwoza for treatment”.
The victims were also provided with food, non-food items and water before being moved to a secure holding facility pending their handover to relevant authorities and reunification with their families.
Security sources described the operation as a significant humanitarian and operational success in ongoing efforts to dismantle terrorist networks and rescue civilians held captive in remote areas of the North-East.
They added that the general security situation in the area remained calm but unpredictable, while troops’ morale and operational effectiveness remained high.
Meanwhile, Senator AliNdume has hailed the military, Borno Govt, others for playing roles towards safe release of over 400 Ngoshe captives
He added the Nigerian military, especially troops of Joint Task Force North East Operation HADIN KAI, Borno State Governor Babagana Zulum and the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) for their various significant roles they played, which led to the safe rescue of the 416 people, mostly women and children that were abducted by suspected Boko Haram terrorists in Ngoshe community of Gwoza local government area of the state.
Recalled that the tragedy occurred since 3rd March 2026, where armed insurgents invaded a military base in Ngoshe and wrecked havoc including abduction of many civilians, although, Troops in their various operations were able to rescue few of the captives around Mandara Mountains.
Responding on the rescue operations which took place on Saturday, Ndume in a press statement on Sunday described the exercise as very commendable.
Ndume, the former Chairman Senate Committee on Army, who also hails from Gwoza local government area however, urged the military and other security agencies to intensify efforts in rescuing the over 40 pupils/students who were recently abducted at their schools in Mussa village of Askira -Uba local Government Area and many others still in captivity.
His words: “Alhamdulillah (we than God), all the Ngoshe Captives have been released last night.
“I commend commend the Nigerian Army especially the Theatre Commander Operation Hadin Kai, Major General Abdulsalam Abubakar, the new GOC 7th Division Maiduguri, Brig Commander 26TF Brigade Gwoza and other security forces.
“The over 400 victims have been in captivity since 3rd March 2026, and I am very much happy to hear the good news of their safe release.
“Let me also commend the Governor of Borno State Prof Babagana Zulum for relentless effort in rebuilding Ngoshe and support to the military and the victims.
“More so, my appreciation goes to the Director- General of National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), Hajiya Zubaida Umar for the release of relief materials to the displaced people.
“However, I urge the military and other security agencies to intensify efforts in rescuing the over 40 pupils/students who were recently abducted at their schools in Mussa village of Askira -Uba local Government Area and many others still in captivity”. Ndume stated.
He therefore call on the Ministry for Humanitarian Affairs to complement the efforts of Borno State Government in rebuilding Ngoshe and other communities hitherto affected by Boko Haram/ISWAP terrorist’s atrocities.
