Troops of the Nigerian Army operating under the Joint Task Force North-East have received three civilians who managed to escape from terrorist captivity in the Gwoza area of Borno State.
The individuals reportedly fled from insurgents after being abducted during a violent raid on their community.
The civilians arrived at a military position on March 14, 2026, where they were received and taken into custody by soldiers attached to Operation Hadin Kai, the ongoing military campaign aimed at combating insurgency in Nigeria’s North-East region.
Security sources said the survivors reached the troops after travelling through remote terrain to avoid being recaptured by their captors.
According to the sources, the escapees included two adult women and a minor.
They were identified as 67-year-old Aishatu Dahiru, 43-year-old Aisha Ali, and a young girl named Asta Ali.
All three victims had been among several residents abducted during a recent attack carried out by insurgents in the Ngoshe community of Gwoza Local Government Area in Borno State.
The victims reportedly endured days in terrorist captivity before finding an opportunity to escape from the insurgents’ control.
Military officials confirmed that the women and the child appeared exhausted but were safe when they arrived at the soldiers’ location.
During preliminary screening conducted by the Nigerian Army, the escapees narrated how they were taken away by armed fighters after the assault on Ngoshe.
According to their accounts, the insurgents transported them and other abducted villagers to a location believed to be one of the militants’ operational enclaves in a place called Gava.
The victims explained that after arriving at the initial camp, the abductors began separating captives and moving them to other locations believed to be insurgent hideouts across the region.
Some of the abducted residents, they said, were reportedly transferred to camps situated in the areas known as Chinene and Ghiraza.
Security sources noted that the information provided by the survivors could help authorities better understand how insurgent groups coordinate their operations across several camps in the forested areas surrounding Gwoza.
The escapees also gave insights into how the attackers allegedly prepared for the raid on Ngoshe.
According to them, fighters from several camps were mobilised to participate in the assault.
The insurgents reportedly gathered forces from different hideouts before launching the coordinated attack on the community.
During their debriefing with troops of Operation Hadin Kai, the victims mentioned the names of individuals they believed played significant roles in organising the operation.
They alleged that a man identified as Sule Shuaibu, popularly known by the alias “Dafa,” was one of the figures involved in coordinating the attack.
Another suspect mentioned by the escapees was a man known as Dabbaba.
According to their claims, both individuals were once associated with local hybrid security groups that previously helped communities defend themselves against insurgent activities.
The victims alleged that the two men later abandoned those roles and joined the insurgent network, eventually becoming part of the group that planned and executed the raid on Ngoshe.
Their knowledge of the area, the survivors suggested, may have helped the attackers navigate the community during the operation.
While recounting their experience in terrorist captivity, the victims also described the threats issued by the insurgents to discourage escape attempts.
They told the troops that captives were warned against fleeing in the direction of Pulka town.
According to their testimony, the insurgents allegedly told the abducted residents that anyone who tried to escape towards Pulka would be killed if the militants later attacked the area.
The threats were reportedly intended to intimidate captives and prevent them from attempting to regain their freedom.
Despite these warnings, the three victims eventually found a chance to escape.
Security sources indicated that they used the opportunity to quietly flee the camp and travel through bush paths until they reached the location of Nigerian Army troops.
Military officials said the survivors have since undergone proper screening and documentation as part of standard security procedures.
Such screenings help authorities determine the circumstances surrounding their abduction and ensure that no security risks are overlooked.
Following the initial assessment, the victims were also provided with necessary humanitarian assistance, including medical attention and other forms of support after their ordeal in terrorist captivity.
According to the military sources, the three civilians remain under the care of security personnel while administrative processes continue.
They may later be handed over to appropriate authorities or humanitarian organisations for further rehabilitation and reintegration.
The Nigerian Army has continued to intensify operations across Borno State as part of efforts to weaken insurgent groups and restore stability in communities affected by years of conflict.
Through Operation Hadin Kai, troops regularly conduct patrols, intelligence missions, and rescue operations aimed at protecting civilians and dismantling terrorist networks.
Security analysts believe testimonies from survivors of terrorist captivity often provide valuable intelligence about the structure, locations, and movement patterns of insurgent groups.
Such information can assist the military in planning targeted operations to disrupt militant activities.
Communities across the Gwoza axis have experienced repeated attacks over the years due to the presence of insurgent groups in surrounding forests and mountainous areas.
However, ongoing military operations are aimed at reducing the threat and enabling displaced residents to safely return to their homes.
Authorities say they will continue to encourage civilians to report suspicious activities and share information that could help security forces respond more effectively to threats in the region.
They also reaffirmed their commitment to protecting residents and supporting victims affected by insurgency in Borno State.
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