By Gloria Attah
Troops of the Joint Task Force (North East), Operation HADIN KAI (OPHK), under the ongoing Operation DESERT SANITY, have rescued six women and children abducted by Boko Haram/ISWAP terrorists and arrested suspected terrorist collaborators in separate operations across the North East.
The military disclosed this in a statement issued on Wednesday by the Media Information Officer of Operation HADIN KAI, Lieutenant Colonel Sani Uba.
According to the statement, the rescue mission was carried out on May 12 near Amuda following credible intelligence gathered after an air interdiction operation around the Mandara Mountains.
The rescued victims were identified as Aisha Musa, 18; Aisha Mohammed, 17; Fatima Yahaya, 20; Saudatu Musa, 4; Garba Mohammed, 5; and three-month-old Mohammed Yahaya.
The military said the victims were among residents of Ngoshe community abducted during an attack by Boko Haram/ISWAP terrorists on March 3, 2026.
“Following their rescue, the victims were administered immediate medical care at a military facility and subsequently reunited with their families through the community leader (Bulama) of Ngoshe, Mallam Adamu Gunda,” the statement noted.
In a separate operation on the same day, troops deployed at Tango 7 in Konduga Local Government Area of Borno State arrested a suspected terrorist associate identified as Hauwa Bulama, 40.
Items recovered from the suspect included detergent, washing soap, a torchlight and seasoning cubes.
Preliminary investigations revealed that the suspect was allegedly on her way to Gezuwa to meet four of her children believed to be members of the terrorist group.
The military also announced the arrest of two additional suspects, Bakura, 18, and Adiza, 17, in Damaturu, Yobe State, during a follow-up operation supported by military intelligence personnel.
The arrests were linked to an earlier operation involving the interception of a suspected ammunition courier, Ba’akaka Abubakar, also known as Modogol, who was allegedly finalising plans to supply ammunition to terrorists.
According to the military, preliminary findings showed that Adiza had been tasked with collecting ammunition from the courier for onward delivery to a terrorist commander.
The suspects are currently in custody, while efforts are ongoing to apprehend the alleged terrorist commander and recover the ammunition meant for delivery.
The Joint Task Force reaffirmed its commitment to intensifying operations aimed at dismantling terrorist networks, rescuing abducted civilians and restoring peace and security across the North East.
The military high command also commended troops for their professionalism, resilience and sustained operational successes in the ongoing counter-insurgency campaign.
