By Eshioromeh Sebastian
Troops of Operation HADIN KAI have rescued two abducted civilians and neutralised a terrorist during ongoing offensive operations in the Mandara Mountains region, the military announced Thursday.
The victims, identified as Mrs. Maryam Muhammad, 20, and her infant son, Bello Muhammad, 1 year and 4 months, were rescued in the Amuda general area. They were among those abducted during a terrorist attack on Ngoshe community on March 3, 2026.
According to a statement by Lieutenant Colonel Sani Uba, Media Information Officer for the Joint Task Force (North East), the victims managed to escape from a terrorist enclave within the Mandara Mountains after intense artillery fire missions forced their captors to abandon them.
“They were held at a terrorist enclave before managing to escape following intense fire missions on terrorist hideouts, which forced their captors to abandon them,” the statement read.
Following initial medical assessment, the rescued mother and child were safely reunited with their family through the Ngoshe community leadership.
In a related development, troops operating at Wulgo and the proposed location for Forward Operating Base Jagarawaji, in conjunction with Civilian Joint Task Force elements, conducted intensive offensive operations across Wulgo, Gumsari, and Hausari general areas.
During those operations, troops discovered makeshift terrorist medical facilities equipped with transfusion materials and antibiotics, rounds of 7.62mm ammunition, and a uniform belonging to a terrorist commander. One terrorist was neutralised during the operation, with no casualties recorded among government forces.
Sustained military pressure continues to compel family members of terrorists to flee from their enclaves and surrender to troops, the statement added.
On the Gwoza axis, a 50-year-old female family member identified as Ghwa’a Biwa escaped from a terrorist camp in the Mandara Mountains and surrendered to troops of 192 Battalion. She cited persistent military operations and lack of basic necessities within the camps as key reasons for her escape.
Similarly, Binta Umaru, 19, and her daughter, Hafsat Ibrahim, 2, escaped from another terrorist enclave within the mountains and surrendered to troops deployed along the Gwoza–Limankara road.
All surrendered individuals have been properly screened, documented, and are in custody undergoing further profiling in line with established procedures.
The Joint Task Force said these developments underscore the effectiveness of ongoing offensive operations and the gradual collapse of terrorist support structures within the theatre, particularly around the Mandara Mountains and border communities.
“The Military High Command commends the troops for their impressive battle performance, urging them to sustain the operational tempo in the collective interest of national security,” Lieutenant Colonel Uba said.
The task force reassured the public of its commitment to sustaining pressure on terrorists, rescuing abducted civilians, and restoring lasting security, peace and economic stability in the North East region.
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