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……. While Ndume greets the soldiers, others
By Salihu Pirkusu, Maiduguri
Troops of the North East Joint Task Force “Operation Hadin Kai” (OPHK), in collaboration with Special Operations Forces, on Saturday rescued about 360 civilians, mainly women and children, abducted by terrorists from Ngoshe community in Gwoza Local Government Area of Borno State.
Military sources said the success story follows a coordinated special operation conducted on June 6 on multiple fronts around the Mandara Mountains.
Unfortunately, many individuals and groups also claimed to have actively participated in the negotiation process that led to the prisoners’ release, although they did not disclose whether or not the ransom was paid.
According to the sources, “the special operations forces initially carried out preliminary missions that created confusion inside the terrorist camps, paving the way for the ground troops of the 26th Brigade Task Force to successfully extract the prisoners.”
The rescued civilians were among residents abducted during a terrorist attack on Ngoshe community on March 3, 2026.
Initially, OPHK troops had given an update to the media regarding the rescue of few of the more than 400 prisoners during operations around the Mandara Mountains, which they attributed to insurgent hideouts.
However, the latest operation suffered a tragic setback as two children died during rescue efforts due to the harsh and difficult terrain encountered while moving the victims to safety.
The military source said that “all rescued people underwent immediate medical screening on arrival, while those requiring urgent medical attention were stabilized by brigade medical personnel and admitted to Gwoza General Hospital for treatment.”
The victims were also provided with food, non-food items and water before being transferred to a secure detention facility to await handover to the relevant authorities and reunification with their families.
Security sources described the operation as a significant humanitarian and operational success in ongoing efforts to dismantle terrorist networks and rescue civilians held captive in remote areas of the North East.
They added that the overall security situation in the area remained calm but unpredictable, while troop morale and operational effectiveness remained high.
Meanwhile, Senator AliNdume commended the military, Borno government and others for playing an important role in the safe release of over 400 Ngoshe prisoners.
He added the Nigerian Army, especially troops of the Joint Task Force North East Operation HADIN KAI, Borno State Governor Babagana Zulum and the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) for the various significant roles they played, which led to the safe rescue of 416 persons, mostly women and children, who were abducted by suspected Boko Haram terrorists in Ngoshe community of Gwoza Local Government Area of the state.
He recalled that the tragedy occurred on March 3, 2026, when armed rebels invaded a military base in Ngoshe and caused chaos, including the abduction of many civilians, although troops in their various operations were able to rescue few prisoners around the Mandara Mountains.
Responding to the rescue operations that took place on Saturday, Ndume in a press release on Sunday described the operation as highly commendable.
Ndume, a former Chairman of the Senate Military Committee, who also hails from Gwoza Local Government Area, has however urged the military and other security agencies to intensify efforts to rescue the over 40 pupils/students who were recently abducted from their schools in Mussa village, Askira-Uba Local Government Area, with many others still in captivity.
His words: “Alhamdulillah (we who God), all Ngoshe prisoners were released last night.
“I commend the Nigerian Army, especially the Theater Commander of Operation Hadin Kai, Major General Abdulsalam Abubakar, GOC New 7th Maiduguri Division, Brigade Commander 26TF Gwoza Brigade and other security forces.
“The more than 400 victims have been in captivity since March 3, 2026 and I am very happy to hear the good news of their safe release.
“I would also like to commend the governor of Borno State, Prof Babagana Zulum, for his relentless effort in rebuilding Ngoshe and supporting the military and victims.
“Furthermore, my appreciation goes to the Director General of the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), Hajiya Zubaida Umar, for distributing relief materials to the displaced people.
“However, I urge the military and other security agencies to intensify efforts to rescue the over 40 pupils/students who were recently abducted from their schools in Mussa village of Askira – Uba Local Government Area and many more still in captivity.” Ndume said.
It therefore requests the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs to complement the efforts of the Borno State government in the reconstruction of Ngoshe and other communities hitherto affected by the atrocities of the Boko Haram/ISWAP terrorists.
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