Troops Rescue Two Escapees from Terrorist Camp in Gwoza

By Zagazola Makama

Troops of the 82 Division Task Force Battalion have rescued two abductees who escaped from a terrorist enclave in Gwoza Local Government Area of Borno State.

Sources told Zagazola Makama that the victims were found wandering around the Armuda Bridge area at about 6:50 a.m. on July 16 and were rescued by troops conducting routine security operations in the area.

During preliminary debriefing, the rescued victims disclosed that they had escaped from a terrorist camp located in the Agapalwa general area after taking advantage of the apparent disarray within the enclave.

According to the victims, the camp had become largely dysfunctional, with no effective leadership, as several terrorist fighters had either fled or sustained injuries during recent military operations.

The accounts provided by the escapees are believed to corroborate ongoing intelligence indicating that sustained kinetic and non-kinetic operations by troops of Operation HADIN KAI have significantly weakened terrorist strongholds across parts of southern Borno.

The rescued victims are currently in safe custody and are expected to undergo medical evaluation and further debriefing to obtain actionable intelligence that could support ongoing counterterrorism operations in the area.

Military sources said troops remain committed to sustaining pressure on terrorist enclaves to facilitate the rescue of more captives and dismantle the remaining insurgent networks operating in the region.

Troops Rescue Two Escapees from Terrorist Camp in Gwoza

Freed Kidnap Victims Reveal Terrorist Losses, Camps in Rijana Forest After Interception by Troops

By Zagazola Makama

Troops of Operation FANSAN YAMMA (OPFY) have intercepted five recently released kidnap victims in Kajuru Local Government Area of Kaduna State, whose accounts provided fresh intelligence on terrorist activities and the structure of armed groups operating in the Rijana Forest.

Sources told Zagazola Makama that the victims were intercepted at about 2:00 p.m. on July 16 by troops of 1 Division Sub-Sector 5 deployed at the Forward Operating Base (FOB) Kajuru.

During preliminary debriefing, the victims disclosed that they had been held captive by a 34-member terrorist group operating from the Rijana Forest.

According to the victims, the group suffered heavy losses following an ambush by troops at Gwantu Village on July 8, during which 12 terrorists, including their leader identified as Doro, were reportedly neutralised.

The victims further revealed that, despite the setback, several other terrorist groups remain active within the Rijana Forest axis.

They identified three additional armed groups, each comprising an estimated 25 to 40 fighters, allegedly led by commanders identified as Mato, Hassan, and others.

Security sources said the intelligence provided by the rescued victims is being analysed and will support ongoing operations aimed at dismantling terrorist enclaves and restoring security across the Kajuru–Rijana corridor.

The victims have since been taken to a secure location for further debriefing and necessary medical and psychosocial support, while troops continue clearance operations in the area to track down the remaining terrorist groups.

Freed Kidnap Victims Reveal Terrorist Losses, Camps in Rijana Forest After Interception by Troops

Zulum Meets UN, British, EU, U.S. and Swiss Diplomats

By: Our Reporter

Borno State Governor, Professor Babagana Umara Zulum, on Friday, met with United Nations Resident Coordinator, senior diplomats and development partners behind closed doors at the British High Commission in Abuja.

The UN Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator, Mohamed Malick Fall, British High Commissioner to Nigeria, Richard Montgomery; the European Union Ambassador to Nigeria and ECOWAS, Gautier Mignot; the Swiss Ambassador to Nigeria, Patrick Egloff; and the Chargé d’Affaires of the United States Embassy, Keith Heffern, attended the high-level meeting.

The strategic engagement was part of an ongoing effort by the Borno State Government and key international partners to strengthen the region’s recovery, stabilization, and long-term development.

Two senior officials from the British High Commission, Abigail Wood, First Secretary (Humanitarian), and Steven Robinson, First Secretary (Lake Chad Basin) also attended the meeting.

Governor Zulum has consistently worked with the United Nations and Nigeria’s international partners to support the state’s post-conflict recovery agenda, which focuses on rebuilding communities, increasing access to education and healthcare, restoring livelihoods, and consolidating peace across conflict-affected areas.

The Governor was accompanied by the acting Chief of Staff to the Governor, Dr. Babagana Mustapha Malumbe and Commissioner for Health and Human Services, Professor Baba Malam Gana.

Zulum Meets UN, British, EU, U.S. and Swiss Diplomats