Troops rescue 360 abductees from Boko Haram enclave in Mandara mountains

Crime Diary

MAIDUGURI, Nigeria (NPA) — 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) stronghold in the Mandara Mountains of southern Borno State.

The Nigerian Army described the operation as one of the most significant hostage rescue missions conducted in the North-East theatre in recent times.

According to the Army, the operation was carried out by Special Forces and troops of Sector 1 of Operation HADIN KAI following weeks of intelligence gathering, covert reconnaissance and detailed operational planning.

The rescued victims, comprising men, women and children, had reportedly been held captive under harsh conditions after being abducted from several communities, particularly within the Ngoshe axis of Borno State.

Military authorities said the successful operation underscored the growing intelligence capabilities, operational reach and tactical effectiveness of troops in counterinsurgency operations across the region.

The mission was launched after security agencies received credible intelligence from multiple sources regarding the exact location of the abductees and the existence of an insurgent support network sustaining the enclave.

Subsequently, intelligence personnel initiated an extensive target development process involving the integration of Human Intelligence (HUMINT), Signals Intelligence (SIGINT), and Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (ISR) assets, including unmanned aerial systems and long-range reconnaissance patrols.

According to the Army, sustained intelligence collection and analysis enabled commanders to gain a detailed understanding of the terrain, insurgent positions, defensive structures, movement patterns and the condition of the hostages.

The intelligence-driven approach also allowed troops to accurately map the objective area, identify vulnerabilities within the terrorist network and minimise risks to the captives during the rescue mission.

Military authorities disclosed that a major breakthrough was achieved through the successful penetration of the terrorist network by intelligence assets operating under the supervision of Operation HADIN KAI’s military intelligence personnel.

The assets reportedly provided actionable intelligence on the exact locations of the abductees, the disposition of insurgent commanders, internal security arrangements and planned relocation routes.

The Army further revealed that carefully coordinated information and psychological operations helped create uncertainty and mistrust within the insurgents’ ranks, weakening their cohesion and disrupting command and control structures ahead of the operation.

According to the military, the resulting intelligence advantage provided commanders with exceptional situational awareness and enabled them to shape the operational environment before the assault phase commenced.

The rescue operation marks another major success in ongoing efforts by security forces to dismantle terrorist networks, rescue civilians and restore stability across communities affected by insurgency in the North-East.