Military Free 47 Hostages from ISWAP Enclave in Lake Chad Region

Military Free 47 Hostages from ISWAP Enclave in Lake Chad Region

Troops of the Joint Task Force (North East), Operation Hadin Kai (OPHK) , have rescued 47 persons, mostly women and children, from captivity in an Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) enclave in Kangarwa, Kukawa Local Government Area of Borno State. The rescue operation, conducted on June 20, 2026, was confirmed in a statement issued on Monday by the Acting Military Information Officer of Operation Hadin Kai, Captain Mohammed Goni.

According to the military, the victims regained their freedom following sustained offensive operations against terrorist hideouts in the Lake Chad region. Captain Goni explained that the rescue was made possible through coordinated ground and air assaults that forced the insurgents to abandon their positions in disarray. “The unrelenting ground and air offensives forced the terrorists to abandon their positions in confusion, enabling the victims to escape from prolonged captivity,” the statement read.

The rescued individuals are currently receiving medical attention and humanitarian support at a secure location, with relevant agencies coordinating their rehabilitation and eventual reintegration into society. “The rescued persons are currently being seen by medical professionals at a secure location. Necessary humanitarian support is being provided in coordination with relevant agencies to facilitate their eventual reintegration,” Goni stated.

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The military said the rescue underscores its commitment to protecting civilians and weakening terrorist networks operating in the North-East. “This rescue further highlights the commitment of OPHK troops to not only degrade terrorist capabilities but also to secure the release of innocent civilians held against their will,” the statement noted.

Kangarwa and other communities in Kukawa Local Government Area lie within the Lake Chad basin, one of the areas most affected by the Boko Haram insurgency over the past decade. The region has witnessed repeated attacks, abductions, and displacement of residents, forcing thousands to flee their homes. Despite recent military gains, remnants of Boko Haram and ISWAP fighters continue to operate in parts of northern Borno, particularly around the Lake Chad axis, Sambisa Forest, and the Mandara Mountains.

The rescue also comes amid continuing concern over other civilians still in captivity in Borno State. On May 15, 2026, suspected Boko Haram insurgents abducted pupils and students from Mussa-Biri Primary School and Junior Day Secondary School in Askira-Uba Local Government Area. The abducted learners were still in captivity as of the latest public update, a development that recently prompted a protest by the Nigerian Union of Teachers in Maiduguri.

The Theatre Command reaffirmed its resolve to sustain offensive operations aimed at dismantling remaining terrorist networks and restoring peace across the region. “The Theatre Command reaffirms its resolve to sustain offensive operations, dismantle remaining ISWAP networks and restore peace and normalcy across the North East region,” the statement concluded.

The military has in recent months intensified operations across the Lake Chad Basin and the Sambisa forest axis, leading to the rescue of captives, recovery of weapons, and the neutralization of scores of insurgents. The identities of the rescued persons and the duration of their captivity were not disclosed.