Reported by: Ijeoma G | Edited by: Oravbiere Osayomore Promise.
Troops of the 82 Division Task Force Battalion under Operation HADIN KAI have rescued two young girls who escaped from a terrorist enclave in the Mandara Mountains and reunited them with their families in Gwoza Local Government Area of Borno State, marking another significant achievement in the military's ongoing campaign to dismantle terrorist hideouts and restore security in the North-East. According to a report by counter-insurgency expert Zagazola Makama, the girls were rescued at about 7:00 a.m. on Thursday, 2 July 2026, after troops deployed at Ngoshe conducted a routine standing patrol from their mountain position and spotted the two individuals stranded near the Armuda Bridge. The patrol team carefully approached the girls before confirming that they were civilians in distress.
The rescued victims were identified as 15-year-old Bintu Adamu and 11-year-old Sadiya Jummai. Preliminary investigations revealed that the girls had been abducted from Ngoshe community by terrorists and taken to an enclave in the Chinene area of the Mandara Mountains. The victims reportedly seized an opportunity to escape from captivity before eventually encountering the military patrol. The troops advanced and cleared the surrounding area up to approximately 400 metres to ensure there was no imminent threat before returning safely to their base. The soldiers administered first aid to the girls before handing them over to the Ngoshe community leader, Mallam Bulama Kunda, at the community's camp for reunification with their families.
The rescue comes amid sustained military operations in the Mandara Mountains, a rugged terrain along the Nigeria-Cameroon border that has long served as a hideout for Boko Haram and Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) terrorists. The area's complex topography has historically provided cover for insurgent groups, making military operations particularly challenging. However, troops have intensified patrols and clearance operations in recent months, resulting in the rescue of numerous abductees and the dismantling of several terrorist camps. Just weeks before this rescue, troops of Operation HADIN KAI, in conjunction with Special Operations Forces, rescued 360 civilians, mainly women and children, who had been abducted by terrorists from Ngoshe community during an attack on 3 March 2026. Tragically, two infants died during that rescue operation due to the difficult terrain encountered while evacuating the victims.
The successful rescue of Bintu and Sadiya underscores the sustained efforts of troops operating in the Mandara Mountains to locate abductees, dismantle terrorist hideouts and restore security in communities affected by insurgency across the North-East. The girls' escape also highlights the growing pressure being exerted on terrorist groups by sustained military offensives, which have created opportunities for captives to flee. A military source had previously noted that sustained military pressure and bombardments had compelled terrorists to flee, creating opportunities for captives to escape captivity.
The rescue has brought relief to the families of the two girls, who had endured months of anguish following their abduction. The Ngoshe community, which has suffered repeated attacks by terrorists, has welcomed the girls' return and commended the troops for their bravery and professionalism. As military operations continue across the North-East, troops remain committed to locating and rescuing all abductees still held in captivity. The successful rescue of Bintu Adamu and Sadiya Jummai serves as a reminder that despite the challenges, progress is being made in the fight against insurgency. For the two young girls, the nightmare of captivity is finally over, and they can now begin the long journey of healing and reintegration into their community.
📩 Stone Reporters News | 🌍 stonereportersnews.com
✉️ info@stonereportersnews.com | 📘 Facebook: Stone Reporters News | 🐦 X (Twitter): @StoneReportNew | 📸 Instagram: @stonereportersnews
Add comment
Comments