Abuja: Troops of Operation Hadin Kai have rescued 12 kidnap victims during a coordinated clearance operation in the Mandara Mountains area of Borno, a military source said. The victims, comprising seven women and five children, were abducted by Boko Haram/ISWAP terrorists on November 14 along the Gwoza-Limankara Road. They were freed after troops overwhelmed the insurgents in a pre-dawn offensive on Monday.
According to News Agency of Nigeria, troops of the 26 Task Force Brigade, 192 Battalion, operatives of the Brigade Garrison, and supporting Hybrid Forces, including hunters and vigilantes, advanced along the foot of the Mandara Mountains up to Uvaha. They engaged the terrorists with superior firepower, leading the insurgents to abandon the captives and flee. During the exchange of fire, the victims initially scattered into nearby bushes for safety but emerged around 8:45 a.m. They were then evacuated to safety by the troops.
The women, identified as Fadi Musa, Jummai Manga, Hamsatu Musa, Jummai Ali, Inna Amadu, Falmata Musa, and Hadiza Hamman, recounted to the troops that the terrorists escaped during the intense firefight, leaving them behind. The rescued women and children were taken to the brigade field ambulance for medical attention, as many suffered blisters from long trekking and reported being severely beaten while in captivity. After receiving care and meals, the victims were handed over to a representative of the Chairman, Gwoza Local Government Area, for reunification with their families.
The source reported that the Chief of Army Staff (COAS) had commended the troops and urged them to sustain offensives against the terrorists across all theatres.