Operation Hadin Kai Rescues 360 Abductees from Terrorists’ Enclave in Borno

By Abubakar Mala Gajibo 

Troops of the Joint Task Force North East, Operation Hadin Kai, have rescued 360 abductees from a Jama’atu Ahlis Sunna Lidda’awati wal-Jihad (JAS) stronghold in the Mandara Mountains of southern Borno State.

A statement by the Acting Media Information Officer, Headquarters Joint Task Force North East, Lieutenant Colonel Haruna M. Sani, says the operation was one of the most significant hostage rescue missions conducted in the North East theatre in recent times.

The statement explains that the rescue operation followed weeks of intelligence gathering, covert reconnaissance, and operational planning, leading to the successful recovery of men, women, and children who had been held captive after being abducted from several communities, particularly within the Ngoshe axis.

According to the military, intelligence obtained from multiple sources helped identify the exact location of the hostages and exposed an insurgent support network sustaining the enclave. Intelligence personnel subsequently combined Human Intelligence, Signals Intelligence, and Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance operations to map the area and monitor insurgent activities.

The military further disclosed that a major breakthrough was achieved through intelligence assets that successfully penetrated the terrorist network, providing information on the whereabouts of the abductees, the disposition of insurgent commanders, and internal security arrangements within the camp.

Acting on the intelligence, Special Forces and troops of Sector 1 launched a coordinated multi-axis operation supported by real-time surveillance. The troops reportedly achieved tactical surprise, forcing several insurgents to flee while others surrendered.

The rescued victims were secured, medically screened, and evacuated to safe locations for treatment and humanitarian assistance.

However, the statement notes that two infants died from exhaustion caused by the difficult mountainous terrain and the harsh conditions endured during their captivity.

The Military High Command commended the troops for their professionalism, courage, and discipline, describing the operation as evidence of the effectiveness of intelligence-led operations and growing synergy among security agencies.

It reassured the public that follow-up operations are ongoing to neutralise remaining terrorist elements, dismantle support networks, and prevent future abductions across the North East region.