Reported by: Ijeoma G | Edited by: Oravbiere Osayomore Promise.
MAIDUGURI, Nigeria – The Borno State Government has confirmed that two children lost their lives during a military raid that freed 360 persons abducted by Boko Haram terrorists from the Mandara Mountains, a notorious enclave in Gwoza Local Government Area. The revelation was made by the Commissioner for Information and Internal Security, Professor Usman Tar, during an appearance on Channels Television’s The Morning Brief programme on Monday, June 8, 2026.
Tar described the rescue as a “very successful operation,” noting that the mission was made possible through weeks of intelligence gathering, covert reconnaissance, and detailed operational planning, supported by the Department of State Services and military intelligence operatives. “Acting on credible intelligence from the DSS and military intelligence, officers and men of Operation Hadin Kai carried out a daring operation that led to the release of 360 victims of the Ngoshe kidnapping,” Tar said.
“It was a very successful operation. Sadly, we lost two children during the operation; otherwise, it was a very successful operation.” The commissioner did not immediately disclose the exact circumstances of the children’s deaths. However, military sources said earlier that the two infants had died during the evacuation due to exhaustion from prolonged captivity and the harsh, mountainous terrain. “Two infants died due to exhaustion from prolonged captivity and harsh terrain,” Daniel Bwala, special adviser to President Bola Tinubu, posted on X. Lieutenant Colonel Haruna Sani, the acting media information officer of Operation Hadin Kai, also confirmed that two children died during the rescue, citing the difficult terrain and the physical toll of their captivity.
The rescued victims were reportedly moved to Wajirko, a temporary settlement for displaced residents of Ngoshe, where they are receiving medical and psychological care. Tar disclosed that Governor Babagana Umara Zulum was expected to visit the survivors to assess their condition and determine the best ways to support them and prevent future occurrences. “Any moment from now, the governor will visit the victims to share in their joy of freedom, understand their experiences in captivity, and determine how best the government can support them,” Tar said. The commissioner also dismissed claims that any ransom was paid to facilitate the release, describing the mission as a purely intelligence-driven military operation. “Who paid the ransom? And the ransom was paid to who? Where is the evidence?” Tar asked.
“We are the operatives on the ground. There was no ransom payment. There was a daring military operation with intelligence support from the DSS that led to the rescue of the 360 citizens. That is the fact on the ground.” The hostages were part of a larger group abducted on March 3, 2026, when Boko Haram fighters attacked the Ngoshe community, located near the border with Cameroon, as residents were breaking their Ramadan fast. Local media had reported that more than 100 women and children were taken during that raid, but military statements later confirmed the number was higher.
The rescue operation, conducted on June 6, 2026, involved troops of the Joint Task Force Operation Hadin Kai, comprising Special Forces and troops of Sector 1, who advanced deep into a heavily fortified Jama’atu Ahlis Sunna Lidda’awati wal‑Jihad (JAS) enclave within the Mandara Mountains. The military said Special Operations Forces first carried out preliminary missions that created confusion within terrorist camps, paving the way for ground troops of the 26 Task Force Brigade to extract the captives successfully. “Faced with the speed, precision, and overwhelming combat power of the advancing troops, several insurgents abandoned their positions and ran into the surrounding mountainous terrain, while others surrendered,” the military said in a statement.
Tar used the opportunity to explain why Borno remains vulnerable to terror attacks, describing the state as the epicentre of the Boko Haram insurgency. He noted that the insurgency has long evolved from its original ideological foundation into a criminal enterprise driven by abduction and exploitation. “The Boko Haram insurgency started as a result of the ideological mindset of a few individuals, but those individuals have gone. The Boko Haram insurgency has since transmuted into a big business,” he said. “So that is what is going on right now. And there is no other explanation.”
The commissioner further argued that kidnappings have become one of the key tactics used by terrorists to generate revenue through hostage negotiations and ransom demands. However, he stressed that the problem is no longer limited to Borno but has become a nationwide security concern.
Despite the tragic loss of two young lives, the rescue of 360 abductees represents one of the largest mass hostage recovery operations recorded in recent months in Nigeria’s North‑East. Communities across Borno continue to face threats from terrorist groups operating around the Sambisa Forest, the Mandara Mountains, and the Lake Chad Basin. The state government reiterated the importance of intelligence gathering and collaboration between security agencies and local communities in combating terrorism and preventing future attacks.
The rescued victims, many of whom had been held for three months under harsh conditions, are now receiving medical screening and psychosocial support. Those requiring urgent medical attention were stabilised by brigade medical personnel and admitted to the General Hospital in Gwoza. They were later moved to a secure holding facility before being handed over to relevant authorities for reunification with their families.
As of Tuesday, June 9, the military continues to maintain vigilance and operational readiness in the North‑East, with troops conducting patrols and clearance operations to prevent insurgent groups from regrouping. The rescue mission has been widely commended, even as questions linger about the long‑term security strategy for the region and the safety of civilians caught in the crossfire.
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