Reported by: Ijeoma G | Edited by: Gabriel Osa
Security operatives in Borno State have successfully rescued seven people abducted by suspected Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) terrorists, following a coordinated operation by the Department of State Services (DSS) and Forest Guards that culminated in a fierce gun battle inside a forest enclave. The development comes amid ongoing efforts to curb insurgent activity and protect vulnerable rural communities in Nigeria’s northeast.
According to official accounts, the victims were seized on January 19, 2026, while they were in the forest near Ajiri Camp on the outskirts of Maiduguri to fetch firewood — a routine activity for many local residents who rely on forest resources for fuel and livelihood. During the excursion, a group of ISWAP fighters reportedly intercepted and abducted the group, taking them deeper into the dense woodland that has long served as a hideout for various extremist elements.
In a twist that helped turn the tide, two of the abductees managed to escape captivity soon after their seizure and ran back to Ajiri Camp to alert community members and authorities about the attack. Another captive was reportedly sent back on a bicycle with a ransom demand — said to be ₦20 million — in an attempt by the abductors to leverage financial pressure.
Acting swiftly on the credible intelligence provided by the escapees and the community, operatives of the Forest Guards, operating in close collaboration with DSS personnel, were mobilised into the bush to track down the terrorists’ enclave. In a tactical approach designed to maintain the element of surprise, the security team switched off their motorcycles and trekked on foot for nearly an hour through difficult terrain before reaching the hideout.
The operation escalated into a heavy gun battle with the ISWAP fighters once the security forces had closed in on the location. Facing stiff resistance, the insurgents eventually fled the scene, abandoning the captives. All seven victims were rescued unharmed and immediately taken under the care of relevant authorities for profiling, medical attention and psychosocial support.
Commander Hassan Modu, who leads the Forest Guards and coordinated the field operation alongside DSS officers, credited the success to the timely flow of information and the close cooperation between the different security elements. He emphasised that the Forest Guards, while a community‑based unit, receive training, basic intelligence support and operational guidance from the DSS, which enhances their effectiveness in joint missions against armed groups in the region.
Modu praised the DSS for its support and urged residents to continue providing reliable tips and leads to security agencies, highlighting how vital community cooperation is in tracking and confronting insurgent networks. The DSS‑backed forest guard programme has been steadily expanded in recent years as part of a strategy to strengthen local responses to terrorist threats, particularly in hard‑to‑reach areas where conventional forces face operational constraints.
The rescued victims are currently undergoing profiling by security and welfare officials in Borno, a necessary step that allows authorities to document their experience, screen for any ongoing risk, and initiate reunification with families where possible. Psychosocial support services are also expected to be provided to address trauma and facilitate recovery.
This operation reflects an intensifying focus on joint intelligence‑driven interventions in Nigeria’s northeast, where ISWAP and other insurgent factions have routinely used forest enclaves as bases for ambushes, kidnappings and ransom demands. Community‑based reporting mechanisms combined with coordinated military and security agency responses are increasingly being highlighted by officials as key to reducing the operational space of extremists and improving civilian safety.
Local residents and observers have welcomed the successful rescue, viewing it as a demonstration of what effective collaboration between security services and civil society structures can deliver. However, the broader security challenge posed by armed groups in Borno and neighbouring states remains significant, with ongoing calls for sustained pressure, enhanced surveillance and community protection measures in vulnerable areas.
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