The Joint Task Force (North East), Operation HADIN KAI (OPHK), has rescued more than 47 persons, predominantly women and children, who had been held captive by fighters of the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) in Kangarwa, Kukawa Local Government Area of Borno State.
According to military authorities, the rescue was carried out on June 20, 2026, following sustained ground and air offensives against terrorist strongholds in the Lake Chad region.
The military said the intensified operations exerted significant pressure on ISWAP elements, forcing them to abandon their positions and creating an opportunity for the captives to escape from prolonged detention.
A statement issued by the Acting Military Information Officer of Operation HADIN KAI, Captain Mohammed Goni, disclosed that the rescued victims are currently receiving medical attention at a secure location.
He added that humanitarian assistance is being coordinated with relevant agencies to support the victims and facilitate their eventual reintegration into society.
The military described the operation as another major humanitarian success in its ongoing campaign against insurgency in the North-East, noting that efforts are not only focused on neutralizing terrorist threats but also on securing the freedom of civilians held against their will.
Operation HADIN KAI reaffirmed its commitment to sustaining offensive operations aimed at dismantling remaining ISWAP networks and restoring lasting peace, security, and normalcy across the region.
Military authorities reiterated that ongoing coordinated operations across the Lake Chad basin continue to yield positive results in the fight against terrorism and the protection of vulnerable communities.
