Troops rescue kidnapped victims in Borno, arrest Boko Haram collaborators

The Headquarters, Joint Task Force (North East), Operation HADIN KAI , OPHK, under Operation DESERT SANITY V/SIEGE OPERATIONS, has rescued kidnapped victims by Boko Haram/ISWAP terrorists during an attack on Ngoshe community in Gwoza Local Government Area of Borno State.

In a statement by the Media Information Officer, Headquarters Joint Task Force North East Operation HADIN KAI, Lt-Col Sani Uba, the troops equally arrested several Boko Haram/ISWAP terrorists and their collaborators in sustained offensive operations across the theatre.

Uba stated that a deserter soldier, Private Umar Bema of the 50 Task Force Battalion, who absconded with his personal weapon, was arrested in Maiduguri and is being investigated for alleged involvement in armed robbery.

According to him, the operations recorded significant breakthroughs, including the rescue of abducted civilians, neutralisation of terrorists, and surrender of some insurgents’ family members.

The spokesman noted that troops rescued two abductees—Mrs. Maryam Muhammad (20) and her infant son, Bello Muhammad (1 year, 4 months)—who were kidnapped during the March 3, 2026 attack on Ngoshe.

The victims, he said were held in a terrorist enclave within the Mandara Mountains before escaping following military pressure on insurgent hideouts.

After medical evaluation, they were reunited with their family members through community leaders.