Troops Rescue Abductees and Arrest Collaborators as Terrorists Surround the Northeast Area

The Nigerian army announced that its Joint Task Force (North East) Operation Hadin Kai (OPHK), operating under the broader Operation Desert Sanity V and ongoing siege operations, has achieved notable successes. These include the rescue of abducted civilians, the arrest of individuals collaborating with terrorists, the recovery of weapons, and the continued surrender of insurgents’ family members across the operational area.

A statement signed by Lieutenant Colonel Sani Uba, Media Information Officer, Headquarters Joint Task Force (North East) Operation HADIN KAI, detailed a major breakthrough. While operating along the Ngoshe–Amuda axis in Gwoza Local Government Area, OPHK troops intercepted and rescued four abducted persons: two women and two children.

The victims—Salamatu Sidiq Ali (19), Halima Idrisa (20), Umar Abdullahi (3), and Mustapha Abdullahi (4)—had been taken during the terrorist attack on the Ngoshe community on March 3, 2026. Preliminary debriefs indicated that the abductees had been held in a terrorist enclave but were liberated amid intense military pressure on insurgent hideouts in the Mandara Mountains.

After medical evaluation, the army said the rescued individuals were safely reunited with their families through community leadership. The statement added that, to date, 65 abducted persons have been rescued, and efforts continue to secure the release of others.

In a related development, OPHK troops apprehended a suspected terrorist collaborator, Mrs. Kellu Alhaji Abba (50), at a checkpoint in Baga, Kukawa Local Government Area. Items recovered from the suspect, including clothing materials and other supplies, were said to have been intended for delivery to a terrorist operative in the Dumba general area.

Similarly, troops arrested another suspected logistics supplier, Mr. Amadu Abdu (50), along the Dalori axis. The suspect was intercepted while transporting a large quantity of packaged items allegedly meant for terrorists. Further investigation revealed that he had been supplying logistics to insurgents in exchange for access to grazing areas. Recovered items included packaged goods, a mobile phone, a cutlass, suspected illicit substances, and cash.

Additionally, OPHK troops, in conjunction with local hunters, arrested four suspected cattle rustlers and terrorist collaborators at Kwaya Kusar Market. The suspects were apprehended with stolen livestock and are currently under investigation.

The statement also reported the surrender of family members linked to Boko Haram/ISWAP terrorists. Among those who surrendered were Aishatu Sale (20) in Bama Local Government Area and Hauwa Abubakar (70), who escaped from a terrorist enclave in the Mandara Mountains. “The surrendered individuals disclosed that sustained military pressure and lack of basic necessities within terrorist camps compelled their decision to flee,” the statement said. “All surrendered persons have been profiled and are undergoing appropriate procedures.”

In another development, troops on operation recovered an AK‑47 rifle and a loaded magazine along a known terrorist withdrawal route, further degrading the operational capabilities of insurgents.