Odita Sunday 
Troops Smash Boko Haram Stronghold, Rescue 360 Abductees in Massive Mandara Mountains Operation
By Odita Sunday
Troops of Joint Task Force (North East) Operation HADIN KAI have recorded one of their most significant counter-terrorism successes in recent times with the rescue of 360 abductees from a heavily fortified Jama’atu Ahlis Sunna Lidda’awati wal-Jihad (JAS) stronghold in the Mandara Mountains of southern Borno State.
The operation, executed by Special Forces and troops of Sector 1, led to the recovery of hundreds of men, women and children who had been held captive after being abducted from several communities, particularly within the Ngoshe axis.
According to Lieutenant Colonel Haruna M. Sani, Acting Media Information Officer, Headquarters Joint Task Force (North East) Operation HADIN KAI, the rescue operation followed weeks of painstaking intelligence preparation, covert reconnaissance and detailed operational planning.
Sani said the successful mission underscored the growing operational reach, intelligence dominance and tactical superiority of Operation HADIN KAI in denying terrorists freedom of action while protecting vulnerable populations across the North-East theatre.
According to him, the operation was initiated after credible and corroborated intelligence from multiple sources revealed the precise location of the abductees and exposed an elaborate insurgent support network sustaining the enclave.
He explained that intelligence elements of Operation HADIN KAI subsequently commenced an extensive target development process involving the integration of Human Intelligence (HUMINT), Signals Intelligence (SIGINT), and Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (ISR) capabilities supported by unmanned aerial systems and long-range reconnaissance patrols.
Sani noted that sustained intelligence gathering and analysis enabled commanders to develop a comprehensive understanding of the terrain, insurgent dispositions, defensive arrangements, movement patterns and the condition of the hostages.
According to him, the intelligence-driven approach allowed troops to accurately map the objective area, identify vulnerabilities within the terrorist network and significantly reduce risks to the abductees during the rescue mission.
He further disclosed that a decisive breakthrough was achieved through the successful penetration of the terrorist network by carefully cultivated intelligence assets operating under the supervision of Operation HADIN KAI military intelligence personnel.
According to Sani, the assets provided timely and actionable intelligence on the exact locations of the abductees, the disposition of insurgent commanders, internal security measures and planned relocation routes.
He added that coordinated information and psychological operations simultaneously created uncertainty and mistrust within insurgent ranks, degrading their cohesion and disrupting command-and-control structures.
“The resulting intelligence advantage provided OPHK with unprecedented situational awareness and enabled commanders to shape the operational environment well before the commencement of the assault phase,” Sani stated.
Acting on confirmed intelligence, Special Forces and Sector 1 troops launched a meticulously coordinated multi-axis assault designed to isolate the target area, dominate key terrain and prevent insurgent reinforcement or withdrawal.
Sani explained that with support from real-time ISR feeds, assault forces infiltrated the objective area under the cover of darkness while blocking forces secured likely escape routes.
He said the operation achieved complete tactical surprise, overwhelming the terrorists before they could mount an organised response.
According to him, several insurgents abandoned their positions and fled into the surrounding mountainous terrain while others surrendered as troops advanced with speed and precision.
The rescued hostages were immediately secured, medically screened and evacuated from the objective area.
Sani, however, disclosed that two infants tragically died from exhaustion caused by the difficult mountainous terrain and the severe hardships endured during their prolonged captivity.
He stated that the remaining rescued abductees were successfully evacuated to safe locations where they are receiving medical attention and humanitarian assistance.
Commending the troops involved in the operation, Sani said the Military High Command praised their courage, professionalism and exceptional discipline throughout the mission.
“The successful rescue of 360 abductees reflects the effectiveness of intelligence-led operations, the growing synergy among security stakeholders, and the unwavering resolve of the Armed Forces of Nigeria to protect innocent citizens and restore lasting peace to affected communities,” he said.
Sani further reassured Nigerians that aggressive follow-on exploitation and clearance operations are ongoing to neutralise residual terrorist elements, dismantle remaining support networks and prevent future abductions.
He affirmed that Operation HADIN KAI remains committed to sustaining offensive operations against terrorist groups until lasting peace, security and stability are restored across the North-East region.
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