Troops of Operation Hadin Kai have rescued 12 people seven women and five children who were abducted by Boko Haram insurgents in Borno State.
The victims were kidnapped on November 14 while travelling along the Gwoza–Limankara Road. Their rescue was achieved on Sunday during a coordinated clearance operation in the Mandara Mountains under Operation Desert Sanity IV and Operation Diligent Search, the Nigerian Army said in a statement on Tuesday.
According to the Army, the operation was carried out by troops of the 26 Task Force Brigade, supported by Hybrid Forces, hunters and local vigilantes. The pre-dawn assault forced the insurgents to flee, abandoning the captives.
The Army said the victims initially scattered into the bush out of fear but were later recovered around 8:45 a.m. after a thorough search of the area. Those rescued include Fadi Musa, Jummai Manga, Hamsatu Musa, Jummai Ali, Inna Amadu, Falmata Musa and Hadiza Hamman, alongside five children. Many were exhausted and had sustained injuries after days in captivity.
The victims were evacuated to the brigade’s field ambulance for medical treatment before being handed over to officials of Gwoza Local Government Area for reunification with their families.
The military high command commended the troops for their professionalism and also appreciated local informants and security stakeholders for providing critical intelligence. It added that troops are continuing operations to track ISWAP and Boko Haram remnants across southern Borno to prevent further attacks.
