Military rescues 47 ISWAP captives in Borno

Troops from Nigeria's Operation Hadin Kai have successfully rescued 47 individuals, predominantly women and children, who were held captive by the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) in Kangarwa, Borno State. The operation took place on June 20.

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The Joint Task Force (North East), Operation HADIN KAI (OPHK), has 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 State on 20 June 2026.

Captain Mohammed Goni, the Acting Military Information Officer for the Joint Task Force North-East Operation Hadin Kai, announced the rescue in a statement on Monday. He explained that the successful operation was a result of intensified ground and air assaults on ISWAP strongholds in the Lake Chad region, which forced the insurgents to abandon their positions in disarray.

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The successful rescue operation was made possible through sustained aggressive pressure and relentless offensive operations conducted by OPHK troops against ISWAP enclaves in the Lake Chad region.

"The unrelenting ground and air offensives forced the terrorists to abandon their positions in confusion, enabling the victims to escape from prolonged captivity," Goni stated. The rescued individuals are currently under medical care and receiving necessary humanitarian support in a secure location, in coordination with relevant agencies, to facilitate their eventual reintegration into society.

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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.

This rescue highlights the military's ongoing commitment to protecting civilians and dismantling terrorist networks in the North-East. The statement emphasized that the military will continue its operations to eradicate remaining terrorist cells and restore peace to the region, which has been an epicenter of insurgency for over a decade.

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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.