Military Rescues 360 Abductees from B’Haram Enclave in Mandara Mountains
Troops of the Joint Task Force (North East), Operation HADIN KAI (OPHK), have rescued 360 abductees from a heavily fortified Jama’atu Ahlis Sunna Lidda’awati wal-Jihad (JAS) enclave deep within the Mandara Mountains in southern Borno State, in what military authorities described as one of the most significant hostage rescue operations in the North-East in recent years.
The rescued victims, comprising men, women and children, had reportedly been held in captivity under harsh conditions after being abducted from several communities, particularly within the Ngoshe axis of Gwoza Local Government Area.
The operation followed weeks of intensive intelligence gathering, covert reconnaissance and meticulous planning by Special Forces and troops of Sector 1 under Operation HADIN KAI.
According to a statement issued by the Acting Media Information Officer of OPHK, Lt.-Col. Haruna M. Sani, the mission was launched after security agencies received credible intelligence from multiple sources on the exact location of the hostages and the insurgent support structures sustaining the enclave.
The military said intelligence operatives conducted an extensive target development process, integrating Human Intelligence (HUMINT), Signals Intelligence (SIGINT), and Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (ISR) assets, including unmanned aerial systems and long-range reconnaissance patrols.
The intelligence effort enabled commanders to map the objective area, identify vulnerabilities within the insurgent network and gain a comprehensive understanding of the terrain, terrorist disposition and the condition of the captives before launching the rescue mission.
Military authorities disclosed that a major breakthrough was achieved through the successful penetration of the terrorist network by intelligence assets who provided actionable information on the exact locations of the abductees, insurgent commanders, security arrangements and planned relocation routes.
The statement added that coordinated information and psychological operations also helped sow confusion and mistrust among the terrorists, weakening their cohesion and disrupting command and control structures ahead of the assault.
Acting on the intelligence, Special Forces and Sector 1 troops launched a coordinated multi-axis operation aimed at isolating the objective area, dominating key terrain and preventing reinforcement or escape by insurgents.
Supported by real-time surveillance feeds, assault troops infiltrated the area under the cover of darkness while blocking forces secured likely escape routes.
The operation achieved complete tactical surprise, overwhelming the insurgents before they could mount an organised resistance.
According to the military, several terrorists abandoned their positions and fled into the surrounding mountainous terrain, while others surrendered.
The rescued hostages were subsequently secured, medically screened and evacuated from the area.
However, military authorities disclosed that two infants died from exhaustion caused by the difficult terrain and the severe conditions they endured during their prolonged captivity.
The remaining abductees were evacuated to safe locations where they are receiving medical attention and humanitarian assistance.
The Military High Command commended the courage, professionalism and discipline displayed by personnel involved in the operation, describing the rescue as a major operational success and a significant setback for the terrorist group.
It noted that the successful mission highlighted the effectiveness of intelligence-led operations, improved synergy among security agencies and the Armed Forces’ commitment to protecting civilians and restoring peace in conflict-affected communities.
The military further assured the public that follow-up exploitation and clearance operations were ongoing to neutralise fleeing terrorists, dismantle residual support networks and prevent future abductions across the North-East theatre.
By TimesNG