Borno: Two Youngsters Make Daring Escape from Terrorist Captivity

Two young girls, previously held by terrorists, have successfully escaped their captors' stronghold in the Mandara Mountains of Borno State and were subsequently reunited with their community in the Gwoza Local Government Area. The rescue operation was carried out by troops from the 82 Division Task Force Battalion, operating under Operation HADIN KAI.

The incident unfolded around 7:00 a.m. on July 2, 2026, when soldiers deployed at Ngoshe were conducting a routine standing patrol from their mountain position. Security sources reported that the patrol team noticed two girls stranded near the Armuda Bridge. Approaching cautiously, the troops confirmed the individuals were civilians in distress. The rescued girls were identified as 15-year-old Bintu Adamu and 11-year-old Sadiya Jummai.

Following the discovery, the military personnel advanced and secured the surrounding area up to approximately 400 metres to ensure no immediate threat was present before safely returning to their base. Initial investigations revealed that the girls had been abducted from the Ngoshe community and were confined within a terrorist enclave located in the Chinene area of the Mandara Mountains. The victims reportedly seized an opportune moment to flee their captivity, eventually encountering the military patrol.

The troops promptly administered first aid to the girls. They were then handed over to Mallam Bulama Kunda, the Ngoshe community leader, at the community’s camp, facilitating their reunification with their families. This recent rescue highlights the persistent efforts by military forces operating within the Mandara Mountains to locate abductees, dismantle terrorist hideouts, and restore peace and security to insurgency-affected communities across Nigeria's North-East region.