Troops of Operation HADIN KAI have successfully rescued 12 Boko Haram kidnap victims — seven women and five children during a clearance operation in the Mandara Mountains, Borno State.

The Nigerian Army, in a post shared on its X handle on Tuesday, revealed that the victims were abducted on November 14 while travelling along the Gwoza–Limankara Road. They regained freedom on Sunday following a coordinated mission carried out under Operations Desert Sanity IV and Diligent Search.

Military sources said the rescue operation was executed by the 26 Task Force Brigade, supported by Hybrid Forces, hunters, and vigilante groups. The troops reportedly launched a pre-dawn advance through the mountain foothills toward Uvaha, prompting the terrorists to flee and abandon the captives.

During the assault, the victims scattered into nearby bushes but were later found around 8:45 a.m. by troops conducting follow-up searches.

“Those rescued include Fadi Musa, Jummai Manga, Hamsatu Musa, Jummai Ali, Inna Amadu, Falmata Musa, Hadiza Hamman, and five children. Many of them were exhausted from trekking long distances and showed signs of blisters, injuries, and physical assault,” the statement read.

They were immediately taken to the brigade field ambulance for treatment and meals before being handed over to a representative of the Chairman of Gwoza Local Government Area for reunification with their families.

The military high command commended the troops for their swift action and acknowledged the support of security stakeholders and local informants whose timely intelligence aided the mission.

Troops have continued intensified operations in southern Borno to track ISWAP remnants and prevent further attacks.