Military Rescues Children, Seizes Weapons in North-East

June 14, () — The Nigerian military has recorded fresh operational successes in the ongoing counter-insurgency war in the North-East as troops of Operation Hadin Kai intensified offensives against Boko Haram and Islamic State West Africa Province, successfully rescuing abducted children, intercepting terrorist collaborators, recovering weapons, and repelling coordinated attacks launched by insurgents across multiple locations in the region.

The latest operational victories, recorded between June 11 and 12, 2026, underscore the military’s growing battlefield dominance and continued pressure on terrorist groups whose activities have destabilised parts of the North-East for over a decade.

According to a statement issued on Saturday by Lieutenant Colonel Haruna M. Sani, Acting Media Information Officer at the Headquarters Joint Task Force (North East), the series of intelligence-driven offensives dealt significant blows to insurgent operations while further degrading their capacity to sustain attacks against civilian and military targets.

One of the most significant breakthroughs came during a fighting patrol operation carried out by troops of Sector 2 around the Amuda general area on June 11, where soldiers successfully rescued three abducted children identified as Ali Usman, 15; Umar Ibrahim Abubakar, 15; and Fatima Abubakar, 12.

Preliminary investigations revealed the minors had escaped from terrorist enclaves located at SAHA and CHINENE in the Mandara Mountains following sustained military bombardments and offensive operations that have continued to dislodge insurgents from their long-held strongholds.

Military authorities said after proper profiling and documentation, the rescued children were safely reunited with community leaders in Ngoshe.

In another successful operation carried out on June 12, troops of Sector 3 responded swiftly to a terrorist kidnapping attempt along the Damasak-Gubio Main Supply Route, forcing insurgents to abandon six civilians during an aggressive military pursuit around Kareto.

Further operational gains were recorded in Mallam Fatori, where troops of the 68 Battalion successfully thwarted an attempted reconnaissance mission by suspected ISWAP fighters believed to be gathering intelligence on military formations.

During the operation, soldiers recovered an AK-47 rifle fitted with a loaded magazine containing 31 rounds of live ammunition.

Elsewhere, troops operating under Sector 3 at Check Point 61 intercepted eleven individuals travelling in two civilian vehicles under suspicious circumstances.

Military intelligence later linked the suspects to attempts aimed at recovering vehicles belonging to known terrorist logistics collaborators previously identified assisting insurgent movements around Ali Sheriffti.

In a separate intelligence-led operation, troops deployed in Mandaragirau arrested a suspected terrorist logistics courier identified as Malahi Liman Muhammad along the Mandaragirau-Sabon Gari axis.

Recovered items included large quantities of herbicides, food supplies, blankets, salt, mobile phones, and other materials believed to have been procured to sustain terrorist operations deep inside insurgent enclaves.

The arrested suspect, alongside others detained in related operations, is currently undergoing military investigation.

The most intense confrontation occurred in the early hours of June 12 when heavily armed Boko Haram and ISWAP fighters launched a coordinated three-pronged assault against troops stationed at the COP Bridge location under Sector 1.

Military authorities disclosed that the terrorists attacked with four gun trucks and several motorcycles, launching simultaneous offensives from the Wurge, Manawaji, and Kinuba axes in what appeared to be a carefully planned offensive aimed at breaching military positions.

However, troops mounted what officials described as fierce and gallant resistance, with timely artillery and mortar support forcing the insurgents into a chaotic retreat.

Subsequent exploitation operations carried out along the terrorists’ withdrawal route led to the recovery of three Rocket Propelled Grenade launchers, seven High Explosive Anti-Tank rounds, and several unexploded ordnance abandoned by the fleeing fighters.

Military officials also discovered dragged bloodstains and body marks along the escape routes, an indication that the terrorists suffered heavy casualties during the failed assault.

One soldier was reportedly injured by fragments from a Rocket Propelled Grenade during the encounter and is currently receiving medical treatment.

The military high command said the latest successes reflect the growing effectiveness of its sustained offensive operations and intelligence-driven strategy aimed at dismantling terrorist networks, cutting off insurgent logistics channels, and denying armed groups operational freedom across the North-East theatre.

It added that continuous ground offensives, precision engagements, aggressive patrols, and sustained intelligence exploitation are increasingly weakening terrorist capabilities and forcing insurgent groups into desperate but unsuccessful attacks.

The military further commended troops for their courage, discipline, and professionalism, while reassuring Nigerians that Operation Hadin Kai remains firmly in control of the operational environment and fully committed to restoring lasting peace, security, and stability across the insurgency-ravaged North-East region.