Troops of Operation HADIN KAI have rescued 360 abductees, including women and children, from Boko Haram enclave in the Mandara Mountains of Southern Borno State following a major intelligence-led operation.
The rescue, described as one of the most significant hostage recovery missions conducted in the North-East in recent times, was carried out by Special Forces and troops of Sector 1 of the Joint Task Force (North East) after weeks of intelligence gathering, surveillance and operational planning.
According to a statement by the Acting Media Information Officer, Headquarters Joint Task Force (North East), Operation HADIN KAI, Lt. Col. Haruna Sani, the operation targeted a heavily fortified Jama’atu Ahlis Sunna Lidda’awati wal-Jihad (JAS) enclave deep within the Mandara Mountains, where hundreds of abductees had been held under harsh conditions.
“The operation was the culmination of weeks of painstaking intelligence preparation, covert reconnaissance and detailed operational planning. The rescued hostages comprised men, women and children abducted from several communities, particularly within the Ngoshe axis,” Sani said.
He explained that the breakthrough followed credible intelligence from multiple sources, which enabled military intelligence personnel to accurately identify the location of the hostages and map out the insurgents’ support network.
“Operation HADIN KAI intelligence elements conducted an extensive target development process involving Human Intelligence, Signals Intelligence and persistent Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance operations. This intelligence-driven approach enabled commanders to develop a comprehensive understanding of the terrain, insurgent disposition and the condition of the abductees,” he stated.
Sani disclosed that military intelligence operatives successfully penetrated the terrorist network, providing critical information on the exact locations of the captives, the disposition of insurgent commanders and internal security arrangements within the enclave.
“A decisive breakthrough was achieved through carefully cultivated intelligence assets that provided timely and actionable intelligence. This gave commanders unprecedented situational awareness and allowed the operational environment to be shaped well before the assault phase commenced,” he added.
Acting on the intelligence gathered, Special Forces and troops of Sector 1 launched a coordinated multi-axis operation designed to isolate the objective area and prevent insurgents from escaping or receiving reinforcements.
Supported by real-time surveillance feeds, the troops infiltrated the area under the cover of darkness and achieved complete tactical surprise.
“Assault forces infiltrated the objective area while blocking forces occupied likely escape routes. The operation achieved complete tactical surprise, overwhelming the terrorists before an organised response could be mounted,” Sani said.
Faced with the speed and precision of the military assault, several insurgents reportedly abandoned their positions and fled into the surrounding mountainous terrain, while others surrendered.
The rescued hostages were immediately secured, screened and evacuated from the area for medical attention and humanitarian assistance.
Sani, however, disclosed that two infants died during the evacuation process due to exhaustion linked to the difficult terrain and the severe hardships endured during captivity.
“Regrettably, two infants succumbed to exhaustion occasioned by the extremely challenging mountainous terrain and the hardships endured during their prolonged captivity. The remaining rescued abductees were successfully evacuated to safe locations for medical care and humanitarian support,” he said.
The military described the operation as a major setback for the terrorist group and a demonstration of the growing effectiveness of intelligence-led operations in the fight against insurgency.
Commending the troops involved in the mission, the Military High Command praised their courage, professionalism and discipline throughout the operation.
“The successful rescue of 360 abductees reflects the effectiveness of intelligence-led operations, the growing synergy among security stakeholders and the unwavering resolve of the Armed Forces of Nigeria to protect innocent citizens and restore lasting peace to affected communities,” Sani stated.
He added that follow-up exploitation and clearance operations were ongoing to neutralise fleeing insurgents, dismantle remaining support networks and prevent future abductions.
“The Armed Forces remain committed to sustaining pressure on terrorist elements across the theatre. Aggressive follow-on operations are ongoing to destroy residual terrorist capabilities and deny criminal elements freedom of action,” he added.
The rescue operation marks one of the largest recoveries of abductees by security forces in the North-East in recent years and underscores ongoing efforts by Operation HADIN KAI to restore security and stability across the region.
