Troops of the Joint Task Force, North East, Operation HADIN KAI, OPHK, under the ongoing Operation DESERT SANITY V and Siege Operations, rescued abducted civilians, arrested terrorist collaborators, recovered weapons. The troops recorded other significant operational successes which include continuous surrender of insurgents’ family members across the theatre.

The Media Information Officer, Headquarters Joint Task Force, North East, Operation HADIN KAI, Lieutenant Colonel Sani Uba, in a statement, indicated that in a major breakthrough, troops of OPHK, while on operation along the Ngoshe–Amuda axis in Gwoza Local Government Area, successfully intercepted and rescued 4 abducted persons, comprising two women and two children.

According to Uba, the victims—Salamatu Sidiq Ali (19), Halima Idrisa (20), Umar Abdullahi (3), and Mustapha Abdullahi (4) — were among residents abducted during the terrorist attack on Ngoshe community on March 3, 2026.

He said that preliminary debrief revealed that the victims had been held at a terrorist enclave, but were rescued amid intense military pressure on insurgent hideouts in the Mandara Mountains. Following medical evaluation, the rescued victims were safely reunited with their families through community leadership. So far, a total of 65 abducted persons have been rescued, while efforts are ongoing to secure the release of others.

In a related development, troops of OPHK apprehended a suspected terrorist collaborator, Mrs. Kellu Alhaji Abba (50), at a checkpoint in Baga, Kukawa Local Government Area.

Items recovered from the suspect included clothing materials and other supplies.

Preliminary investigation indicates that the items were intended for delivery to a terrorist operative in the Dumba general area.

Similarly, troops arrested another suspected logistics supplier, Mr. Amadu Abdu (50), along the Dalori axis. The suspect was intercepted while transporting a large quantity of packaged items allegedly meant for terrorists.

Further investigation revealed that he had been supplying logistics to insurgents in exchange for access to grazing areas. Recovered items included packaged goods, a mobile phone, a cutlass, suspected illicit substances, and cash.

Additionally, troops of OPHK in conjunction with local hunters arrested four suspected cattle rustlers and terrorist collaborators at Kwaya Kusar Market. The suspects were apprehended with stolen livestock and are currently undergoing investigation.

Troops also recorded the surrender of family members linked to Boko Haram/ISWAP terrorists. Among them are Aishatu Sale (20), who surrendered in Bama Local Government Area, and Hauwa Abubakar (70), who escaped from a terrorist enclave in the Mandara Mountains.

The surrendered individuals disclosed that sustained military pressure and lack of basic necessities within terrorist camps compelled their decision to flee.

All surrendered persons have been profiled and are undergoing appropriate procedures.

In another development, troops on operation recovered one AK-47 rifle and a loaded magazine along a known terrorist withdrawal route, further degrading the operational capabilities of insurgents.