Women and children freed in Gwoza area as military intensifies offensive against insurgents in North-East
Troops of Nigeria’s Joint Task Force, Operation Hadin Kai, have rescued six abducted victims during a coordinated military operation in Borno State, authorities confirmed.
The victims—comprising women and children—were freed in Ngoshe village, Gwoza Local Government Area, following sustained offensives targeting insurgent enclaves in the Mandara Mountains.
According to a statement by the military’s spokesperson, Lt. Col. Sani Uba, the rescue took place in the early hours of May 1 after troops acted on credible intelligence while returning from an overnight operation. The victims were intercepted around Amuda, a deserted corridor known for insurgent movement between Ngoshe and Gava.
Preliminary findings indicate that the individuals had been abducted during an attack on the Ngoshe community in March 2026 and were held in captivity within a terrorist enclave before managing to escape.
Troops reportedly came under sporadic gunfire as fleeing insurgents attempted to pursue the escapees. However, the soldiers engaged the attackers and forced them to retreat into nearby mountainous terrain.
The rescued victims received immediate medical attention at a military facility before being handed over to local authorities and reunited with their families in an emotional homecoming facilitated by community leaders.
Military officials said the operation reflects intensified pressure on insurgent groups, which has led to disarray within their ranks and increased instances of captives escaping.
Borno State remains a focal point of Nigeria’s long-running insurgency involving groups such as Boko Haram and ISWAP, with military operations continuing to prioritise rescue missions and territorial control.
The latest rescue highlights ongoing military efforts to weaken insurgent networks and recover abducted civilians, as security operations persist across Nigeria’s North-East.
