Troops of Operation Hadin Kai have rescued 12 kidnap victims—seven women and five children—during a coordinated operation in the Mandara Mountains area of Borno State. The victims were abducted by Boko Haram/ISWAP terrorists on November 14 along the Gwoza–Limankara Road but regained their freedom after a pre-dawn military offensive on Monday.
A military source familiar with the operation confirmed the rescue and described it as another significant success in the ongoing campaign against insurgency in the North-East. He explained that the joint forces moved deep into the rugged terrain of the Mandara Mountains, an area long known as a hideout for insurgents, before overwhelming the terrorists with superior firepower.
According to the source, troops drawn from the 26 Task Force Brigade, 192 Battalion, and operatives from the Brigade Garrison led the push into the mountains. They were supported by Hybrid Forces, local hunters, and vigilantes who are familiar with the terrain and often assist the military in intelligence gathering and tracking militants.
The operation began in the early hours of Monday, with troops advancing along the foothills of the Mandara Mountains toward Uvaha, a location believed to be one of the hideouts used by Boko Haram and ISWAP to keep abductees. The military source said that as soldiers closed in, they engaged the terrorists in a fierce firefight lasting several minutes.
He added that the insurgents, unable to withstand the intensity of the attack, abandoned their captives and fled deeper into the mountains. All 12 victims were rescued unharmed and were promptly moved to a safe location for medical checks and profiling.
The Mandara Mountains, which stretch along the Nigeria–Cameroon border, have been a major base for Boko Haram since the group launched its violent campaign more than a decade ago. The difficult terrain provides natural shelter for insurgents and has made military operations in the area challenging for years. Over time, ISWAP, a breakaway faction of Boko Haram, has also established camps in the same region.
Borno State has been at the heart of Nigeria’s insurgency crisis, with thousands killed and millions displaced since 2009. Kidnappings, ambushes, and attacks on motorists along routes such as Gwoza–Limankara have remained common despite ongoing military pressure. Many victims of abductions in the region include women, children, and travellers caught in the crossfire of insurgent activities.
Operation Hadin Kai, the military’s major counter-insurgency operation in the North-East, has recorded several successes in recent months, especially in areas near Gwoza, Bama, and the Mandara axis. Troops have neutralized insurgents, destroyed camps, and rescued dozens of abducted civilians. However, security analysts note that Boko Haram and ISWAP remain active, constantly regrouping and shifting camps within the forests and mountains.
The rescue of the 12 victims adds to a series of operations carried out by the Nigerian military in recent weeks. Troops have intensified clearance patrols in response to renewed insurgent attacks and kidnappings targeting road users, farmers, and remote communities.
Military sources say the recent pushes into difficult terrain show the army’s determination to secure the region before the dry season intensifies, a period when insurgent activities often increase due to easier movement in the forests and mountains.
Although the 12 rescued victims are receiving care, many others remain in captivity across Borno and neighbouring states. Analysts say the rescue highlights the importance of continuous military action in insurgent strongholds and improved support for local security groups who understand the terrain better.
For residents of Gwoza, Limankara, and surrounding communities, the successful operation brings some relief amid years of fear and displacement. The area has suffered repeated attacks, including mass abductions, suicide bombings, and raids on villages. Many families have been separated, and farming activities have been disrupted.
In recent months, the Nigerian military has encouraged insurgents to surrender, leading to thousands laying down their arms. However, factions continue to operate, especially around the mountains bordering Cameroon.
The Federal Government and the Borno State Government have committed to restoring peace to the North-East. Rehabilitation programmes for former insurgents, rebuilding of destroyed communities, and resettlement of displaced persons are part of ongoing efforts.
