Troops of the Joint Task Force (North East), Operation Hadin Kai (OPHK), operating under Operation Desert Sanity and related missions, have recorded significant operational successes across the theatre of OPHK, including the neutralisation of terrorists, rescue of abducted persons, recovery of arms, ammunition, explosive ordnance, and arrest of criminal collaborators.

One of the breakthroughs was when troops, 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 rescued 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 of Gwoza local government area of Borno state on March 3, 2026.

These were disclosed on Saturday in a press statement signed by the Media Information Officer, Headquarters Joint Task Force North East Operation HADIN KAI, Lt. Col. Sani Uba.

The statement reads: “Troops of the Joint Task Force (North East), Operation HADIN KAI (OPHK), operating under Operation DESERT SANITY and related missions, have recorded significant operational successes across the theatre of OPHK, including the neutralisation of terrorists, rescue of abducted persons, recovery of arms, ammunition, explosive ordnance, and arrest of criminal collaborators.

“In sustained offensive operations, troops of OPHK supported by the Civilian Joint Task Force (CJTF) conducted coordinated offensives in the Valle, Ashigashiya, and Gakara general areas. During the operations, troops made contact with suspected Boko Haram/ISWAP terrorists and engaged them with superior firepower, neutralising two insurgents while others fled towards the Ngoshe axis.

“The area was subsequently cleared, with no casualties recorded among own troops. Similarly, troops operating along the Bravo Kilo 10 axis intercepted suspected terrorists and engaged them effectively, neutralising one insurgent. Items recovered from the encounter include a radio set and a mobile phon.”

Additionally, the statement said, “Further demonstrating operational effectiveness, troops conducting offensive operations along the Ngoshe–Amuda corridor rescued an 8-year-old boy abducted during the March 3, 2026 attack on Ngoshe community. The victim, identified as Abubakar Mublagha, was medically evaluated and reunited with his family. In a related development, troops of OPHK conducting operation around Uvaha, a deserted village along the Gwoza–Limankara axis, rescued a 20-year-old abducted Fulani male identified as Dahiru Ahamdu.

“The victim disclosed that he escaped from his captors following intense artillery bombardments by troops which struck terrorist camps, neutralised two insurgents, and created panic within the enclave. He further revealed that he was abducted on May 8, 2026, while grazing cattle at Bororo village in Madagali Local Government Area of Adamawa State and subsequently held in a terrorist hideout within the Mandara Mountains.

“The victim has since undergone medical examination and was successfully reunited with his family through community leadership.”

In a separate operation, troops of OPHK deployed at Buni Gari, acting on credible intelligence, recovered a cache of arms, ammunition and explosive ordnance abandoned by fleeing terrorists in the Magza general area.

“Items recovered include four 40mm RPG bombs, one 81mm mortar bomb, and four 60mm mortar bombs. The explosives were safely secured by Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) teams. In another development, troops of OPHK arrested a suspected collaborator identified as Kuti Muhammad, a member of the Civilian Joint Task Force (CJTF), over alleged links with terrorist elements.

“The suspect is currently in custody for further investigation. Similarly, troops of OPHK swiftly responded to a reported armed robbery incident in Garin Gwigwi village, Biu Local Government Area, leading to the arrest of three suspects identified as Aliyu Mamadu, Umar Mohammed, and Adamu Aliyu. Items recovered include mobile phones, suspected illicit substances, charms, jewellery, cash, a dagger, a Quran booklet, and a locally made firearm. A Dane gun earlier reported stolen was recovered and returned to its rightful owner after verification.

“Investigations are ongoing to apprehend other accomplices. Additionally, troops in conjunction with local hunters arrested four suspected cattle rustlers and terrorist collaborators at Kwaya Kusar Market with six rustled cattle. The suspects are currently undergoing preliminary investigation,” Uba added.

The statement further revealed that “Same Troops, 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.

“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,” he explained.

Likewise, the same troops, 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 the same vein, 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 statement noted.

According to Uba, the Military High Command commends 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. (Saturday Vanguard)

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