Six ISWAP fighters give up as troops save kidnapped people

Troops from Operation HADIN KAI have rescued two more kidnapped people during search-and-rescue operations in Askira/Uba Local Government Area of Borno State. Six fighters from the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) and their families also surrendered in Gwoza, as reported by the Nigerian military.

The Acting Military Information Officer of Operation HADIN KAI, Mohammed Goni, shared these updates on Thursday. This information is part of the latest operational report from the North-east region.

The military stated that troops from the 115 Task Force Battalion saved the two abducted individuals on July 7 while carrying out rescue operations in Askira/Uba. The statement did not reveal the identities of those rescued or when they were taken.

This latest rescue follows a report by PREMIUM TIMES about six other abductees being saved, including two infants, during security operations in southern Borno. Search efforts are still ongoing for students taken from Government Day Secondary School, Lassa.

PREMIUM TIMES had earlier reported that the Borno State Government confirmed that 36 students are still missing after an attack, based on figures from community leaders.

In another update, Lieutenant Colonel Goni stated that six ISWAP fighters surrendered with their family members to troops of the 192 Battalion in Gwoza Local Government Area. He mentioned that initial investigations revealed the group escaped from terrorist hideouts in Guduf Bubayagwa and Chikide in the Mandara Mountains.

The military reported that troops recovered N1.54 million, two Tecno mobile phones, and other items from the surrendered fighters and their families. Goni also said that troops found 50 rounds of PKT ammunition left by fleeing insurgents during recent operations. He described these recoveries as proof of ongoing military pressure on terrorist groups.

Goni added that Operation HADIN KAI will keep conducting search-and-rescue operations until all kidnapped people are safely back with their families. The military also asked residents to share useful information about suspicious activities. They warned that anyone caught supplying food, fuel, building materials, transport, or any help to terrorist groups would face arrest and prosecution.