The Joint Task Force (North East), Operation HADIN KAI (OPHK), has recorded a major breakthrough in the fight against insurgency with the rescue of 360 abductees from a heavily fortified Jama’atu Ahlis Sunna Lidda’awati wal-Jihad (JAS) enclave hidden within the rugged Mandara Mountains of southern Borno State.
Military authorities described the operation as one of the most significant hostage rescue missions carried out in the North-East theatre in recent years, highlighting the growing intelligence and operational capabilities of troops battling insurgent groups in the region.
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.
According to military sources, the operation was the culmination of weeks of intensive intelligence gathering, covert reconnaissance missions and detailed operational planning conducted by Special Forces and troops of Sector 1 under Operation HADIN KAI.
The military disclosed that the rescue mission was launched after receiving credible intelligence from multiple sources regarding the exact location of the hostages and the existence of an insurgent support network sustaining the enclave deep within the mountainous terrain.
Intelligence personnel subsequently commenced an extensive target development process involving the integration of Human Intelligence (HUMINT), Signals Intelligence (SIGINT), and Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (ISR) operations supported by unmanned aerial systems and long-range reconnaissance patrols.
Through sustained intelligence collection and analysis, commanders were able to build a comprehensive picture of the terrorists’ disposition, defensive structures, movement patterns and the conditions under which the abductees were being held.
Military authorities said the intelligence-led approach enabled troops to accurately map the objective area, identify vulnerabilities within the insurgent network and significantly minimise risks to the hostages during the execution of the operation.
A major breakthrough reportedly came through the successful penetration of the terrorist network by intelligence assets cultivated and supervised by OPHK military intelligence personnel. The assets provided critical information regarding the precise locations of the abductees, the deployment of insurgent commanders, internal security arrangements and planned relocation routes for the captives.
The military further revealed that coordinated information and psychological operations were simultaneously deployed to create confusion and mistrust within the ranks of the insurgents. These measures reportedly weakened the terrorists’ command structure, disrupted internal coordination and provided troops with a significant operational advantage before the commencement of the assault phase.
The successful rescue operation marks another milestone in ongoing efforts by Nigerian troops to dismantle terrorist enclaves across the North-East and restore security to communities affected by years of insurgent violence.
Military authorities said the operation demonstrated the increasing effectiveness of intelligence-driven counterterrorism operations and reaffirmed the commitment of Operation HADIN KAI to protecting civilians, degrading terrorist capabilities and denying insurgent groups freedom of action across the theatre.
The rescued victims are expected to undergo medical examinations, profiling and rehabilitation procedures before being reunited with their families and communities.
The latest operation comes amid sustained military offensives targeting Boko Haram and Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) elements in Borno and neighbouring states, as security forces continue efforts to eliminate terrorist strongholds and secure lasting peace across Nigeria’s North-East region.
