Zulum Hails Military Over Rescue of 360 Abductees From Borno Terrorist Enclave

By Zainab Uzomah|Abuja

Borno State Governor, Babagana Umara Zulum, has commended troops of Operation Hadin Kai for rescuing 360 abductees from a terrorist enclave in the Mandara Mountains area of southern Borno State.

Zulum described the operation as a major breakthrough in the fight against insurgency and praised the military for what he called a display of courage, professionalism and effective intelligence-driven operations.

In a statement issued by his Special Adviser on Media, Dauda Iliya, the governor said the rescue of hundreds of men, women and children held captive by terrorists had renewed hope among affected communities and demonstratedthe commitment of government and security agencies to restoring peace in the North-East.

“I wish to express my profound appreciation to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the Chief of Defence Staff, the Chief of Army Staff, the Theatre Commander of Operation Hadin Kai, officers and soldiers who participated in this highly successful operation,” Zulum said.

According to him, the rescue of the abductees from the terrorist stronghold underscored the effectiveness of collaboration among security agencies and the determination of the armed forces to protect citizens from insurgents.

The governor recalled that he had visited Ngoshe community on March 6, 2026, and later spent a night with displaced victimsin Pulka, where he assured them of ongoing efforts by the Federal Government and Borno State Government to secure the release of those still in captivity.

He also noted that he had directed the assessment and reconstruction of houses destroyed by insurgents in Ngoshe to facilitate the return of displaced residents currently taking refuge in Pulka.

Zulum further commended local communities for their cooperation with security agencies, describing their support as critical to the success of military operations.

He reaffirmed the commitment of the Borno State Government to continue providing logistical support to the military and other security agencies to sustain gains recorded in counter-insurgency operations.The governor also urged residents of Mussa in Askira/Uba Local Government Area to remain hopeful, assuring them that efforts were ongoing to secure the release of schoolchildren still being held by their abductors.

He called on residents across the state to remain vigilant and continue providing credible information to security agencies to support ongoing operations against terrorists and other criminal elements.