BREAKING: 60 women, children abducted by BH/ISWAP regain freedom in Borno
Troops of the Joint Task Force (North East) Operation Hadin Kai have rescued 60 women and children previously abducted during an attack on Ngoshe community in Gwoza Local Government Area of Borno State.
The latest rescue operation, conducted along the Amuda–Gava corridor in the Mandara Mountains axis on May 14, led to the rescue of six abducted persons comprising women and children who were reportedly held captive by Boko Haram/ISWAP insurgents.
The rescued victims were identified as Amina Salihu, 52; Aishatu Musa, 50; twin sisters Hassana and Hussaina Abubakar, both aged nine; Adamu Zakariyya, 12; and Usman Zakariyya, 10.
According to the military, the operation was carried out under Operation DESERT SANITY following intelligence reports on suspected insurgent movement routes in the area.
The Commander of 26 Task Force Brigade, Brig.-Gen. Nasirudeen Abdullahi, received the rescued victims and directed that they be provided medical attention before they were reunited with their families through community leaders in Ngoshe.
The 60 rescued women and children were among over 416 persons abducted during the March 3, 2026 attack on Ngoshe community.
Brig. Gen. Abdullahi assured residents that troops would continue ongoing operations until all remaining abductees were rescued.
The Chief Imam of Ngoshe, Mallam Auwalu Hudu, offered prayers for troops involved in the ongoing counter-insurgency operations in the area.
Meanwhile, troops also recorded other operational gains across the North-East theatre.
In Konduga Local Government Area of Borno State, troops of Sector 1 reportedly killed two Boko Haram/ISWAP fighters during operations at Bazamri village.
Items recovered included detergent, salt and a carton of spaghetti believed to be supplies for insurgents.
The military added that no casualty was recorded among troops during the operation.
In a separate operation at Mainé checkpoint in Yobe State, troops arrested a suspected Boko Haram collaborator identified as Ibrahim Alhaji Julo, 30.
He was intercepted in a red Golf vehicle with registration number KTG-397AA from Bauchi State.
According to preliminary investigations, the suspect allegedly used the vehicle to transport terrorist elements and facilitate illegal tax collection in communities.
Troops recovered a mobile phone and cash from the suspect, who is currently in custody for further investigation.
The Joint Task Force reiterated its commitment to sustaining operations aimed at dismantling terrorist networks, rescuing abductees and restoring security across the North-East.
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