Nigerian troops under Operation HADIN KAI have successfully rescued 360 people held captive by Boko Haram insurgents during a large-scale military operation in southern Borno State.
The operation targeted a terrorist camp concealed within the rugged Mandara Mountains, a region long regarded as a stronghold for insurgent activities along Nigeria’s border communities.
Military sources disclosed that the rescued individuals, mainly women and children, had been abducted from several communities around the Ngoshe area and kept in captivity by the terrorists.
The breakthrough followed weeks of intelligence gathering, surveillance missions, and covert reconnaissance efforts that enabled security forces to identify the exact location of both the hostages and the insurgents.
According to authorities, the mission combined Human Intelligence (HUMINT), Signals Intelligence (SIGINT), and aerial monitoring to carefully plan the assault and minimize risks to the captives.
Troops reportedly launched the operation under the cover of darkness, advancing from multiple directions to surround the enclave and block possible escape routes.
Faced with the coordinated assault, several insurgents reportedly fled into nearby mountainous terrain, while others surrendered to the advancing troops.
The military confirmed that all 360 captives were safely extracted from the area and evacuated for immediate assistance.
However, authorities disclosed that two infants sadly lost their lives due to the severe conditions and prolonged hardship experienced during captivity.
The rescued victims have since been moved to secure locations where they are receiving medical treatment, psychological support, and humanitarian assistance.
Military commanders described the mission as a significant success in the ongoing fight against terrorism in the North-East, noting that it demonstrates continued progress in efforts to weaken insurgent networks across the region.
Security forces have also launched follow-up operations aimed at tracking down fleeing fighters and clearing remaining terrorist hideouts within the Mandara Mountains and surrounding areas.
