Operation HADIN KAI troops have rescued six civilians held by insurgents and returned them to their families, while also arresting several suspects linked to terrorist activity in the North-East.

Lt. Col. Sani Uba, spokesperson for the Joint Task Force North East, said the operation was carried out on 12 May 2026 after intelligence and air support pinpointed movement around the Mandara Mountains. The victims were intercepted at a suspected crossing point near Amuda.

Those rescued include Aisha Musa, 18; Aisha Mohammed, 17; Fatima Yahaya, 20; Saudatu Musa, 4; Garba Mohammed, 5; and Mohammed Yahaya, 3 months old. They were among Ngoshe residents abducted during a Boko Haram/ISWAP attack on 3 March 2026. After medical checks at a military facility, they were reunited with families through Ngoshe community leader Mallam Adamu Gunda.

Separately in Konduga LGA, troops arrested Hauwa Bulama, 40, found with detergent, soap, a torchlight, and seasoning cubes. She is alleged to have been travelling to Gezuwa to meet four children suspected to be with insurgents.

In Damaturu, Yobe State, Bakura, 18, and Adiza, 17, were detained in connection with a seized ammunition courier, Ba’akaka Abubakar. Investigators say Adiza was due to collect ammunition for a terrorist commander. Searches for the commander and the weapons are ongoing.

The task force said it will sustain operations to break up terrorist networks and free abducted civilians.