The Nigerian Army says troops have rescued six civilians abducted in the North-East state of Borno during ongoing counter-terrorism operations in the region.
The victims, made up of women and children, were freed in the early hours of 01 May in the Ngoshe area of Gwoza, a community close to the Mandara Mountains where armed groups are known to operate.
According to a statement from the Joint Task Force under Operation HADIN KAI, troops intercepted the abductees while returning from an overnight offensive operation targeting terrorist positions.
Military officials said the victims had been held since a March 2026 attack on Ngoshe before managing to escape captivity.
During the rescue, soldiers reportedly came under sporadic fire from fleeing armed men but forced them to retreat after a brief exchange.
The rescued civilians were given first aid and medical attention at a military facility before being handed over to local authorities and reunited with their families the same day.
The army said the operation forms part of intensified efforts to weaken armed groups operating in the region, adding that recent air and ground offensives have disrupted their movements and coordination.
The North-East has faced years of insurgency linked to extremist groups, with rural communities often targeted through kidnappings and attacks on villages.
Military authorities say continued pressure on armed groups is yielding results, but acknowledge that insecurity remains a major challenge in remote border communities.
The army reiterated its commitment to ongoing operations aimed at rescuing abducted civilians, securing vulnerable areas, and dismantling terrorist networks across the region.
