Troops rescue 47 women, children from ISWAP enclave in Borno

Troops of the Joint Task Force (North East), Operation Hadin Kai (OPHK), have rescued 47 persons, mostly women and children, from an Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) enclave in Kangarwa, Kukawa Local Government Area of Borno State.

This is contained in a statement issued on Tuesday in Maiduguri by the Acting Military Information Officer of OPHK, Capt. Mohammed Goni.

Goni said the victims were freed following sustained offensive operations against ISWAP strongholds in the Lake Chad region.

According to him, the rescue was achieved through coordinated ground and air assaults that forced the terrorists to abandon their positions, allowing the captives to escape after prolonged detention.

He stated that: “The Joint Task Force (North East), Operation HADIN KAI, recorded yet another significant humanitarian success with the rescue of over 47 persons, mostly women and children, who were held captive by ISWAP terrorists in Kangarwa, Kukawa Local Government Area of Borno.”

He added that the sustained pressure of military operations created confusion within the terrorists’ ranks, which enabled the escape of the victims.

The rescued persons are currently receiving medical attention at a secure location, while arrangements are ongoing to provide humanitarian support and facilitate their rehabilitation and reintegration.

The military said the development reflects its continued commitment to protecting civilians while intensifying efforts to dismantle terrorist networks across the North-East.

It reaffirmed that operations would be sustained across the Lake Chad Basin and Sambisa Forest axis to restore lasting peace in the region.