By Adedapo Adesanya

The Nigerian Army on Sunday said the troops of Operation Hadin Kai (OPHK), a joint task force in the North-east, have rescued 360 abducted persons from a Boko Haram camp in the Mandara mountain axis of Gwoza, Borno State.

Recall that Boko Haram insurgents abducted 416 people, including minors, when they invaded Ngoshe in March.

Following the raid, the group released a video filmed inside Ngoshe in which a commander boasted that it would hold the community through Ramadan and observe Eid-el-Fitr prayers at the Ngoshe Central Mosque. It sent a series of other videos in the next couple of weeks after that.

Then, in another video released on April 19, a Boko Haram commander identified as Mallam Abu issued a 72-hour ultimatum demanding a N5 billion ransom and warned against any military rescue attempt.

On May 17, the captives appeared in another video, lamenting their ordeal in the mountainous terrain and pleading for help from government authorities.

In a statement on Sunday, the acting spokesperson for Operation Hadin Kai, Mr Haruna Sani, said the rescue mission was the result of weeks of intelligence gathering, surveillance and operational planning.

According to him, the operation was launched after security agencies received credible intelligence pinpointing the location of the hostages and identifying an insurgent support network sustaining the camp.

He said military intelligence personnel subsequently combined human intelligence, signals intelligence, and surveillance operations using unmanned aerial systems and long-range reconnaissance patrols to map the area, monitor insurgent activities and assess the condition of the captives.

Mr Sani, a lieutenant colonel, said a breakthrough came after intelligence operatives successfully penetrated the terrorist network, providing detailed information on the exact location of the abductees, the disposition of insurgent commanders and planned movement routes.

He added that coordinated information and psychological operations also created confusion within the insurgents’ ranks, weakening their command structure ahead of the assault.

Acting on the intelligence, troops launched a multi-axis operation under the cover of darkness, isolating the objective area and blocking potential escape routes.

“The operation achieved complete tactical surprise, overwhelming the terrorists before an organised response could be mounted,” he said.

The army spokesperson said several insurgents fled into the surrounding mountainous terrain while others surrendered as troops advanced on the enclave.

Following the assault, soldiers secured and evacuated the hostages, who were subjected to medical screening before being moved to safe locations for treatment and humanitarian assistance.

However, Mr Sani disclosed that two infants died from exhaustion caused by the difficult terrain and the harsh conditions they endured during their captivity.

He described the rescue as one of the most significant hostage recovery operations conducted in the North-east in recent times and a major setback for the terrorist group.

Mr Sani said the military high command commended the troops involved in the mission, noting that the success demonstrated the effectiveness of intelligence-led operations and the growing coordination among security agencies.

He added that the high command also assured the public that follow-up clearance operations are ongoing to track down fleeing insurgents, dismantle remaining support networks and prevent future abductions in the region.

By Dipo Olowookere

The younger sister of the former Minister of Power, Mr Adebayo Adelabu, Mrs Olaide Busayo Adegoke John-Paul, has been rescued by officials of the Nigeria Police Force (NPF).

The woman was freed from her kidnappers along with her twin sons, Peter and Paul, on Saturday evening.

They were abducted on Wednesday morning while the former employee of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) was taking her children to school in Ibadan, Oyo State.

The unfortunate incident reportedly occurred at about 7:30 am on June 3, 2026, throwing residents of the area into panic. The 43-year-old mother was taken from her vehicle by the gunmen and driven away with her 12-year-old twin sons.

This evening, in an operation by security operatives, the victims were rescued, while two of the suspected kidnappers were fatally shot in a gun duel, and two firearms were recovered from the gang.

The police are now combing the area where the rescue operation took place to apprehend some of the fleeing kidnappers, who are believed to have escaped with gunshot wounds.

The news of the rescue of the kidnapped victims has thrown the family of the former Minister into a frenzy.

By Modupe Gbadeyanka

The federal government and the Honeywell Group are strengthening a partnership aimed at achieving sustainable development in Nigeria.

The company on Thursday held a meeting with the Minister of Interior, Mr Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, in Abuja. Both parties explored ways to promote economic development, reaffirming the importance of public-private sector cooperation in advancing Nigeria’s development agenda and improving service delivery for citizens.

The Senior Adviser to the Honeywell Group, Mrs Oduwaye Nsidi-Sakiri, reaffirmed the organisation’s commitment to supporting national development through constructive engagement and collaboration.

“We commend the remarkable progress that has been made. These achievements are a reflection not only of leadership but also of the dedication and hard work of the entire team within the Ministry,” she said.

She explained that the visit reflected Honeywell Group’s longstanding tradition of maintaining proactive and constructive relationships with government institutions, regulatory agencies, and other key public-sector stakeholders. She further expressed the group’s willingness to explore opportunities for collaboration in support of government initiatives and national development objectives.

Also speaking, Honeywell Group Chief Operating Officer, Mrs Tomi Ayo-Tugbo, commended the Ministry for reforms that are delivering tangible improvements in the lives of Nigerians, reiterating the firm’s commitment to supporting the country’s growth and prosperity.

On his part, Mr Tunji-Ojo praised the company for its longstanding contributions to Nigeria’s economy and acknowledged the critical role of the private sector in driving economic growth, creating jobs, and supporting national development.

He further assured the delegation of the Ministry’s readiness to engage with stakeholders and collaborate with responsible corporate organisations in advancing initiatives that promote economic development, innovation, and improved service delivery.

The Minister emphasised that the reforms being implemented across the Ministry and its agencies are designed not only to improve operational efficiency but also to strengthen national security and enhance public confidence in government institutions.

“Our goal is to build institutions that work efficiently for the people. We are committed to creating systems that are transparent, technology-driven, and capable of delivering services in a manner that reflects the aspirations of a modern Nigeria,” he stated.

“The government cannot achieve sustainable development alone. Strong partnerships between the public and private sectors are essential to building a prosperous nation. We value organisations such as Honeywell Group that have consistently invested in Nigeria and contributed to the country’s growth over several decades,” Mr Tunji-Ojo added.