Troops Rescue Six Abductees, Arrest Terror Suspects in Borno and Yobe Operations

By Tada jutha, Maidguri

Troops of the Northeast Joint Task Force under Operation Hadin Kai, working alongside Operation Desert Sanity, have rescued six women and children abducted by terrorists in Borno State while also arresting several suspected collaborators linked to insurgent groups operating in the region.

The successful operation, carried out along the Amuda Ngoshe corridor in Gwoza Local Government Area, also led to the capture of five suspected terrorist associates believed to have been active around the Mandara Mountains for more than a decade.

The Media Information Officer of Operation Hadin Kai, Lieutenant Colonel Sani Uba, disclosed the development in a statement issued in Maiduguri, noting that troops have continued to record major gains in ongoing counter-terrorism operations across the North East.

According to him, the rescue mission followed credible intelligence gathered after an air interdiction around the Mandara Mountains. Troops later stormed a suspected terrorist crossing route near Amuda on May 12, 2026, where the victims were successfully freed.

The rescued victims were identified as Aisha Musa, 18; Aisha Mohammed, 17; Fatima Yahaya, 20; Saudatu Musa, 4; Garba Mohammed, 5; and Mohammed Yahaya, a minor.

Military authorities said the victims were among residents of Ngoshe community abducted during a terrorist raid allegedly carried out by Boko Haram and ISWAP fighters on March 3, 2026.

Following their rescue, the victims received medical attention at a military facility before they were reunited with their families through the community leader of Ngoshe, Mallam Adamu Gunda.

In another operation conducted the same day, troops stationed at Tango Seven in Konduga Local Government Area arrested a 40-year-old woman, Hauwa Bulama, suspected of aiding terrorist activities.

Items recovered from the suspect included detergent, washing soap, torchlight, and seasoning cubes.

Military sources revealed that preliminary findings suggested the suspect was travelling to Gezuwa to meet four of her children believed to be members of a terrorist group.

The suspect has since been handed over to relevant authorities for further investigation and prosecution.

Meanwhile, troops under Sector 2 of Operation Hadin Kai, supported by Military Intelligence personnel, also arrested two more suspects identified as Bakura, 18, and Adiza, 17, in Damaturu, Yobe State.

The arrests were linked to an earlier operation involving the interception of a suspected ammunition courier, Ba’akaka Abubakar, also known as Modogol, who was allegedly planning to deliver ammunition to terrorists hiding in Sambisa Forest.

Investigators disclosed that Adiza was allegedly assigned to receive ammunition from the earlier suspect for onwards delivery to a terrorist commander.

Security operatives said the suspects remain in custody while efforts continue to track down the commander and recover the ammunition meant for the insurgents.

The Joint Task Force reaffirmed its determination to sustain aggressive operations against terrorist networks, rescue abducted civilians, and restore peace across the northeast.

Military authorities also praised the troops for their professionalism, courage, and persistence in the fight against insurgency.

Troops Bust Terror Cell, Arrest Informant, Drug Syndicate, Rescue Kidnapped Children in Northeast

By Njadvara Musa

Troops of the Northeast Joint Task Force under Operation Hadin Kai has recorded fresh operational gains, arresting two suspected terrorists, an informant, and five alleged drug traffickers across Borno State, Adamawa State, and Yobe State.

The military also rescued two kidnapped children during coordinated counter-terrorism operations in the region.

The development was disclosed on Tuesday in Maiduguri by the media information officer of the operation, Lt. Col. Sani Uba, who said troops sustained pressure on insurgents and their collaborators across the theater.

According to him, troops operating in Ngamdu apprehended two suspected terrorists identified as Haruna Adamu, 32, and Ibrahim Adamu, 20, during field engagements. Preliminary findings indicated that the suspects had relocated from Zamfara to Yobe State.

Items recovered from them include mobile phones, a power bank, an identity card, suspected illicit substances, charms, and other personal belongings. The suspects have since been transferred to relevant authorities for further investigation.

In a related operation, troops of the 254 Battalion under Sector 2 arrested a suspected informant linked to Boko Haram and the Islamic State West Africa Province at Ngamdu market.

The suspect, identified as Ali Muhammad, 30, was reportedly on a security watchlist. He was found with cash, a mobile phone, identification cards, charms, a knife, and a notebook containing contacts of suspected terrorist elements.

Military authorities described the arrest as a significant blow to the intelligence network of insurgents in the area, adding that the suspect is undergoing detailed interrogation.

Meanwhile, troops conducting a night operation around the Mubi axis in Adamawa arrested five suspected drug peddlers. Items recovered from them include ammunition and other materials believed to be linked to criminal activities. They are currently in custody pending prosecution.

In another breakthrough, troops deployed in Madagali, working alongside the Civilian Joint Task Force, responded to a distress call and successfully rescued two abducted children, Barnabas Apagu, 12, and Ruth Apagu, 10.

Security sources said efforts are ongoing to rescue other victims believed to still be in captivity.

Similarly, troops in the Kukareta area of Yobe State recovered a hand grenade that fleeing insurgents likely abandoned. The military safely secured the explosive device in accordance with standard procedures.

The military high command commended the troops for their resilience and dedication, urging them to sustain the momentum in ongoing operations aimed at restoring peace and stability in the Northeast.

Troops Kill 18 Boko Haram Fighters in Sambisa Offensive, Recover Weapons

By Tada Jutha, Maiduguri

Troops of the Northeast Joint Task Force under Operation Hadin Kai (OPHK) have killed at least 18 Boko Haram insurgents during coordinated operations in the Timbuktu–Bulabulin axis of Sambisa Forest spanning Borno and Yobe states.

The military said the offensive, led by troops of Sector 2, took place around Azir Bridge and the Bulabulin forest along the 85-kilometre Damboa–Biu road, where fighters were engaged in intense combat backed by air support.

In a statement issued on Wednesday in Maiduguri, the OPHK Media Information Officer, Sani Uba, said the operation—codenamed Operation Desert Sanity V—resulted in significant battlefield successes through two coordinated assaults.

He explained that troops, working closely with the Air Component Command, carried out simultaneous strikes in the Azir Bridge (Timbuktu axis) and Bulabulin forest areas, leading to heavy insurgent losses.

According to him, ground forces, alongside elements of the Stabilisation Force and the Civilian Joint Task Force, cleared several terrorist hideouts in Mar, Subdu, Yaro Lawanti, Yaro Shuwari and surrounding communities.

Uba added that troops made contact with insurgents at Malam Shiri village, where they executed a tactical flanking manoeuvre that led to the elimination of 11 fighters, while others escaped with injuries.

“Following the engagement, troops destroyed terrorist structures and recovered nine AK-47 rifles, three PKT machine guns, five motorcycles, ammunition and materials used for Improvised Explosive Devices,” he said.

In a related operation along the Wajiroko–Sabongari corridor in the Timbuktu axis, troops again confronted insurgents, killing seven more fighters after a sustained exchange.

Recovered items from the second encounter included rifles, RPG tubes, communication gadgets and a large cache of ammunition.

The military credited the success of both operations to strong coordination between ground troops and the Air Component Command, which provided intelligence, surveillance and precision strikes on identified targets.

Air operations, according to the statement, helped track fleeing insurgents and deliver accurate bombardments that weakened their positions and disrupted their movements.

Troops have since launched follow-up operations across the Forfor, Multe and Wajiroko areas to hunt down fleeing fighters and prevent regrouping.

The Military High Command commended the troops for their bravery and urged them to maintain pressure on insurgent groups to sustain security gains in the North-east.

The latest offensive underscores renewed efforts by Operation Hadin Kai to degrade terrorist capabilities and restore stability in the region.