Troops of the Joint Task Force North East, Operation Hadin Kai, have successfully overrun a heavily fortified terrorist enclave in the Mandara Mountains of southern Borno State, rescuing 360 abducted persons in one of the largest hostage recovery operations in the region.
The operation, carried out by OPHK Special Forces and Sector 1 troops, targeted a Jama’atu Ahlis Sunna Lidda’awati wal-Jihad (JAS) stronghold where scores of men, women, and children were being held after being abducted from communities around the Ngoshe axis.
According to the Acting Media Information Officer of Operation Hadin Kai, Lieutenant Colonel Haruna Sani, the mission followed weeks of intelligence gathering, surveillance, reconnaissance, and detailed planning. Security forces combined human intelligence, signal intelligence, drone surveillance, and long-range patrols to identify the exact location of the hostages and map the terrorists’ defensive positions.
Military intelligence operatives reportedly infiltrated the terrorist network, providing crucial information on the captives’ whereabouts, insurgent commanders, security arrangements, and movement plans. Psychological operations also helped create confusion within the insurgents’ ranks, weakening their coordination before the assault.
Acting on verified intelligence, troops launched a coordinated multi-directional attack under the cover of darkness, supported by real-time surveillance. The operation achieved complete surprise, forcing many terrorists to flee while others surrendered.
All hostages were secured and evacuated for medical screening and humanitarian assistance. However, two infants died from exhaustion caused by the harsh terrain and prolonged captivity. The remaining 358 victims were safely relocated for treatment and care.
The military described the rescue as a major success, highlighting the effectiveness of intelligence-led operations and the growing cooperation among security agencies. Authorities said follow-up operations are ongoing to eliminate remaining terrorist elements and dismantle support networks in the area.