By
Shekara Anthony
Troops of the Joint Task Force, Operation HADIN KAI, have successfully rescued 360 abductees from a heavily fortified terrorist enclave in the Mandara Mountains of southern Borno State.
The rescue operation, described as one of the most significant in recent times, involved Special Forces and troops of Sector One and targeted a Jama’atu Ahlis Sunna Lidda’awati wal-Jihad, or JAS, stronghold.
The victims, comprising men, women, and children, were reportedly abducted from several communities, particularly within the Ngoshe axis.
A statement by the Acting Media Information Officer, Headquarters Joint Task Force Operation Hadin Kai, Lieutenant Colonel Haruna Sani, explains that the operation followed weeks of intensive intelligence gathering and operational planning.
Intelligence personnel combined information from human intelligence sources, signals intelligence, and surveillance missions conducted through unmanned aerial systems and long-range reconnaissance patrols.
This enabled commanders to accurately identify the location of the hostages and assess the insurgents’ defensive arrangements.
The military disclosed that a major breakthrough came through the successful penetration of the terrorist network by intelligence assets working closely with military intelligence personnel.
These sources provided critical information on the whereabouts of the abductees, insurgent activities, and planned movement routes.
Coordinated information and psychological operations also helped create confusion within the terrorist ranks, weakening their command structure before the assault.
Acting on confirmed intelligence, Special Forces and Sector One troops launched a coordinated multi-directional operation under the cover of darkness.
Supported by real-time surveillance, troops isolated the objective area and blocked potential escape routes.
The operation achieved complete tactical surprise, forcing several insurgents to flee while others surrendered.
The hostages were secured, medically screened, and evacuated from the area.
However, the military reported that two infants died from exhaustion due to the harsh terrain and the effects of prolonged captivity.
The Military High Command has commended the courage and professionalism of the troops involved, describing the mission as a testament to the effectiveness of intelligence-led operations and inter-agency collaboration.
The military reaffirmed its commitment to protecting citizens and restoring peace across the North-East, adding that follow-up clearance operations are ongoing to eliminate remaining terrorist elements and prevent future abductions.
