The Nigerian Army has rescued six abducted civilians during a counter-terrorism operation in Ngoshe community, located in Gwoza Local Government Area of Borno State.
The victims, made up of women and children, were freed in the early hours of May 1, 2026, around Amuda—an abandoned area between Ngoshe and Gava known for insurgent activity.
Confirming the development in a statement, the Media Information Officer of the Joint Task Force (North East), Lieutenant Colonel Sani Uba, said the rescue was carried out by troops of Operation HADIN KAI following sustained military offensives in the region.
“Troops of Operation HADIN KAI have achieved another operational success with the rescue of six abducted civilians, who have since been reunited with their families,” he said.
Uba explained that the troops encountered the victims while returning from an overnight mission, noting that preliminary investigations revealed they had been kidnapped during an attack on Ngoshe on March 3, 2026.
“Initial findings indicate that the victims were held in captivity in Gava before they managed to escape,” he added.
He further disclosed that the troops came under attack during the rescue, as fleeing insurgents attempted to intercept the victims.
“The troops came under sporadic fire from the terrorists but responded effectively, forcing them to retreat into the mountainous terrain,” Uba stated.
Following their rescue, the victims were provided with immediate medical care at a military facility before being handed over to local authorities and reunited with their families.
The army said the operation is part of intensified efforts to weaken terrorist groups operating in the North-East, adding that recent offensives have disrupted their operations and created internal disarray.
It reaffirmed its commitment to ongoing military campaigns aimed at securing communities, rescuing abductees, and eliminating insurgent threats across the region.
