Troops of Operation Hadin Kai have rescued several abducted victims, killed suspected terrorists and recovered explosives, arms and ammunition during a series of military operations across the North-East.
The operations, conducted under Operation Desert Sanity and related missions, were disclosed in a statement issued on Saturday by the spokesman of the Joint Task Force North-East, Lt. Col. Sani Uba.
According to the statement, troops operating along the Ngoshe-Amuda axis in Gwoza Local Government Area of Borno State rescued four persons abducted during the March 3, 2026 attack on Ngoshe community.
The victims were identified as Salamatu Sidiq Ali, 19; Halima Idrisa, 20; Umar Abdullahi, 3; and Mustapha Abdullahi, 4.
The military said the rescued victims were medically examined and later reunited with their families through community leaders.
It added that 65 abducted persons have so far been rescued, while efforts are ongoing to free others still in captivity.
Troops, alongside members of the Civilian Joint Task Force, also launched coordinated attacks in Valle, Ashigashiya and Gakara areas where they engaged Boko Haram and ISWAP fighters.
During the operations, two insurgents were killed, while others escaped towards the Ngoshe axis after coming under heavy gunfire from troops.
The military further disclosed that another suspected terrorist was neutralised along the Bravo Kilo 10 axis, where troops recovered a radio set and a mobile phone.
In a separate operation, troops rescued an eight-year-old boy, Abubakar Mublagha, who was also abducted during the Ngoshe attack. He was later reunited with his family after medical evaluation.
Around the Uvaha area along the Gwoza-Limankara axis, troops rescued a 20-year-old Fulani man, Dahiru Ahamdu, who reportedly escaped from terrorist captivity following artillery bombardments on insurgent camps in the Mandara Mountains.
The victim said he was abducted on May 8, 2026 while grazing cattle in Bororo village, Madagali Local Government Area of Adamawa State.
Meanwhile, troops deployed in Buni Gari recovered several explosive devices allegedly abandoned by fleeing terrorists in the Magza area.
Recovered items included four 40mm RPG bombs, one 81mm mortar bomb and four 60mm mortar bombs, all of which were secured by Explosive Ordnance Disposal teams.
The military also arrested a suspected collaborator, Kuti Muhammad, said to be a member of the Civilian Joint Task Force, over alleged ties with terrorists.
Another suspect, Kellu Alhaji Abba, 50, was arrested at a checkpoint in Baga, Kukawa Local Government Area, with clothing materials and supplies allegedly meant for terrorists in the Dumba area.
Similarly, troops arrested another suspected logistics supplier, Amadu Abdu, 50, along the Dalori axis while allegedly transporting items to insurgents.
Items recovered from him included packaged goods, cash, a cutlass, a mobile phone and suspected illicit substances.
In Biu Local Government Area, troops responded to an armed robbery incident in Garin Gwigwi village and arrested three suspects identified as Aliyu Mamadu, Umar Mohammed and Adamu Aliyu.
Recovered items included charms, jewellery, cash, mobile phones, suspected illicit substances, a dagger, a Quran booklet and a locally made firearm.
Troops working with local hunters also arrested four suspected cattle rustlers and terrorist collaborators at Kwaya Kusar Market with six stolen cattle.
The military further revealed that some relatives of Boko Haram and ISWAP fighters voluntarily surrendered due to sustained military pressure and poor living conditions in terrorist camps.
Among them were Aishatu Sale, 20, who surrendered in Bama Local Government Area, and Hauwa Abubakar, 70, who escaped from a terrorist hideout in the Mandara Mountains.
The military said all surrendered persons had been profiled and were undergoing necessary procedures.
Troops also recovered an AK-47 rifle and a loaded magazine along a suspected terrorist escape route.
The military high command commended the troops for their efforts and urged them to sustain operations aimed at restoring peace, security and stability across the North-East region.
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