Troops of the Joint Task Force (North East), Operation HADIN KAI, have recorded fresh operational successes under Operation DESERT SANITY, including the rescue of abducted civilians, reunification of families and the arrest of suspected terrorist collaborators across the North-East theatre.
In a statement issued by the Media Information Officer of the task force, Lieut. Col. Sani Uba, troops acting on credible intelligence following an air interdiction mission around the Mandara Mountains rescued six abducted women and children during a coordinated operation at a suspected terrorist crossing point near Amuda on May 12, 2026.
The rescued victims — Aisha Musa, Aisha Mohammed, Fatima Yahaya, Saudatu Musa, Garba Mohammed and infant Mohammed Yahaya — were among residents of Ngoshe community abducted by Boko Haram/ISWAP terrorists during an attack on the area on March 3, 2026.
According to the statement, the victims received immediate medical attention at a military facility before being reunited with their families through the Bulama of Ngoshe community, Mallam Adamu Gunda.
In a separate operation conducted the same day, troops deployed at Tango 7 in Konduga Local Government Area of Borno State arrested a suspected terrorist associate identified as Hauwa Bulama, 40, during an operational engagement.
Items recovered from the suspect included detergent, washing soap, a torchlight and seasoning cubes.
Preliminary investigations indicated that the suspect was allegedly travelling to Gezuwa to meet four of her children suspected to be members of the terrorist group.
The military said the suspect had been handed over to relevant authorities for further investigation and prosecution.
Meanwhile, troops under Sector 2 of Operation HADIN KAI, supported by military intelligence operatives, also arrested two additional suspects identified as Bakura, 18, and Adiza, 17, in Damaturu, Yobe State.
The arrests followed intelligence obtained from ongoing investigations and communication intercepts linked to an earlier operation involving the arrest of a suspected ammunition courier, Ba’akaka Abubakar, also known as Modogol.
According to preliminary findings, Adiza was allegedly assigned to collect ammunition from the earlier suspect for onward delivery to a terrorist commander.
The suspects are currently in military custody, while efforts are ongoing to apprehend the alleged terrorist commander and recover the ammunition intended for delivery.
The Joint Task Force reaffirmed its commitment to intensifying operations aimed at dismantling terrorist networks, rescuing abducted civilians and restoring lasting peace and security across the North-East region.
The military high command also commended troops for what it described as their professionalism and resilience, urging them to sustain the ongoing operational momentum.
