It is not all bad news about security forces in the North-East. The Nigerian Army has recorded a major counter-insurgency success with the rescue of 360 civilians abducted by Boko Haram terrorists and held in a fortified enclave within the Mandara Mountains of southern Borno State. The operation, carried out by troops of Operation HADIN KAI and Special Operations Forces, followed weeks of intelligence gathering, surveillance, and operational planning.<\/p>\n
According to military authorities, the rescued victims\u2014mostly women and children\u2014were among residents abducted during the terrorist assault on Ngoshe community in Gwoza Local Government Area in early March 2026. During that attack, Boko Haram and ISWAP fighters overran parts of the area, attacked a military base, burned homes and public facilities, killed soldiers and civilians, and abducted hundreds of residents. Reports from local and security sources indicated that dozens of troops were feared killed, while several others were captured or declared missing after the base was temporarily overwhelmed.<\/p>\n
The March attack became one of the most serious insurgent assaults in southern Borno in recent years. Separate reports during that period also pointed to an escalation in attacks against military formations across Borno State, with insurgents targeting bases, seizing equipment, and inflicting casualties on security personnel.<\/p>\n
Some local reports and social media accounts alleged that a number of soldiers killed during the Ngoshe assault were mutilated or beheaded by insurgents. However, these specific claims have not been independently confirmed by the Nigerian military or major international news organizations, and should therefore be treated cautiously. Boko Haram has nevertheless been linked to multiple beheadings and executions in the region over the years, including reported beheadings of civilians in the Mandara Mountains area.<\/p>\n
The rescue operation itself was not without tragedy. Military authorities confirmed that two infants died from exhaustion during the difficult evacuation through the rugged Mandara Mountain terrain after enduring prolonged captivity. The remaining rescued victims were transported to safe locations, where they received medical screening, humanitarian assistance, food, water, and ongoing care.<\/p>\n
Borno State Governor Babagana Zulum described the rescue as a significant breakthrough in the fight against terrorism and praised President Bola Tinubu, the Armed Forces, and Operation HADIN KAI for their efforts. He said the successful extraction of 360 captives demonstrates the growing effectiveness of intelligence-led operations and offers renewed hope to communities devastated by years of insurgency.<\/p>\n The operation represents one of the largest hostage recoveries conducted by Nigerian forces in the North-East in recent years and delivers a major humanitarian victory against Boko Haram’s long-running campaign of abductions, killings, and attacks on communities across Borno State.<\/p>\n ________<\/p>\n More Reports:<\/strong><\/p>\n COMPLIMENTS.<\/p>\n Please read trending reports on Everyday.ng<\/p>\n Video of Police Rescue of Former Minister Adelabu’s Sister And Her Twin Sons<\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/everyday.ng\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/9f3c2a29-4a16-4eae-9e19-5c507613965a-300x200.jpeg\")