Troops of Operation Hadin Kai have rescued three children abducted two months ago and neutralised five ISWAP terrorists in a fierce battle in the early hours of Saturday in Borno state.
The Media Information Officer, Joint Taskforce, Northeast Operation Hadin, Lt Col Sanni Uba, who disclosed this in a statement on Saturday, said an 18-year old terriorist also surrendered in Geidam, Yobe state.
Sanni explained that the five terrorists were neutralised when the troops made contact with suspected JAS/ISWAP members around Sabsawa village in Borno State during a fighting patrol.
The statement reads “troops of the Joint Task Force (North East) Operation HADIN KAI (OPHK) have sustained aggressive offensive and stabilisation operations across the theatre of OPHK, successfully thwarted a terrorist attack, neutralising insurgents, and rescuing kidnapped civilians in separate operations conducted on 20–21 February 2026”.
He said, “In a major encounter, troops of Sector 1, while on fighting patrol, made contact with suspected JAS/ISWAP terrorists around Sabsawa village in Borno State. The troops responded with overwhelming firepower, forcing the terrorists to flee in disarray. During exploitation, five terrorists were neutralised”
He further noted that in a similar operation, troops of OPHK, under Sector 1, deployed at Ngurosoye, rescued three abducted children.
He identified them as “Abba Abba (12), Fatima Abba (8), and Aisha Abba (6)”, saying they were rescued during a perimeter patrol in Bama Local Government Area of Borno State.
“Preliminary investigation revealed the victims were abducted about two months ago along the Gubio axis by suspected terrorists before being moved to Bula-Daloye.
The children, he said, have been handed over to the Nigeria Police for further necessary action.
“Meanwhile, troops also recorded the surrender of an 18-year-old terrorist suspect, Abubakar Abubakar, at Geidam in Yobe State, where he is currently in custody for profiling,” he added.
He, however, stresses that across other sectors of OPHK, troops in an aggressive posture conducted offensive operations in collaboration with hybrid forces, vigilantes, and hunters to deny terrorists freedom of action.
“All operations were largely hitch-free, while ongoing exploitation and monitoring continue across the theatre.
“The military high command commended the troops for their sustained morale and fighting efficiency, assuring that pressure on terrorist elements will be maintained until lasting peace and economic stability are achieved in the North East region,” he concluded.
