Four Terrorist Family Members Escape Enclaves, Surrender to Troops in Borno

By Zagazola Makama

Four persons identified as family members of terrorists have escaped from insurgent enclaves in the Mandara Mountains and surrendered or been intercepted by troops of Operation HADIN KAI in Gwoza Local Government Area of Borno State.

A military source told Zagazola Makama that a 15-year-old boy, identified as Idi Musa, was intercepted at about 6:25 a.m. on August 9, 2026, by troops of 192 Battalion conducting picketing and fighting patrol duties along the Gwoza–Limankara road.

Preliminary interrogation revealed that Musa had escaped from a terrorist enclave in the Mandara Mountains.

He reportedly disclosed that he was abducted about two years ago while picking mangoes around Dala Village in the Hambagda general area.

According to the source, the teenager was forced to cook for other abductees being held within the enclave. He said the task was assigned to him by a terrorist commander identified as Idrisa Taklace.

One Itel mobile phone was recovered from him.

In a separate development at about 9:55 a.m. the same day, three other suspected members of terrorist families — 20-year-old Binta Idrisa, 18-year-old Amina Muhammadu and two-year-old Musa Alhaji — surrendered to troops of 192 Battalion.

Preliminary investigation revealed that the three had escaped from a terrorist enclave in Chikide, within the Mandara Mountains of Gwoza LGA.

The escapees reportedly said the lack of basic necessities in the terrorist camp compelled them to flee the enclave.

The troops recovered ₦9,500 from the three escapees.

The four persons were subsequently screened and documented and remain in military custody for further necessary action.

The development highlights the continuing pressure on terrorist enclaves in the Mandara Mountains, with civilians and family members held within the camps increasingly seeking opportunities to escape as military operations intensify across the Gwoza axis.

Four Terrorist Family Members Escape Enclaves, Surrender to Troops in Borno

Ethiopia’s Withdrawal from Buurhakaba Base Raises Security Concerns in Somalia

By Zagazola Makama

The withdrawal of Ethiopian troops serving under the African Union Support and Stabilization Mission in Somalia (AUSSOM) from their base in Buurhakaba, Bay Region, has raised concerns over the ability of Somali security forces to assume full responsibility for security in the strategically important area.

Ethiopian forces have maintained a presence in Buurhakaba since 2014, with the town playing a significant role in the security of Baidoa and along the major road linking Mogadishu and Baidoa.

Its strategic location makes Buurhakaba an important security node and a potential staging area for military operations affecting both major urban centres and surrounding communities.

Security analysts believe Al-Shabaab could attempt to exploit the withdrawal by increasing pressure around Buurhakaba and its environs.

The immediate challenge for Somali security forces is therefore to secure the town’s perimeter, key access routes and surrounding settlements before the militant group can exploit any potential security gaps.

Although Ethiopia’s eventual withdrawal from selected positions across Somalia has been anticipated, sources close to the Somali National Army indicated that the Buurhakaba withdrawal was a planned redeployment that had been under preparation for some time.

Preliminary reports indicate that Somali forces will operate alongside troops from other partner countries during the transition period while the Holding Forces being prepared by the Somali authorities attain operational readiness.

The partner forces are expected to provide critical security support, including air and ground capabilities, aimed at deterring and disrupting any attempt by Al-Shabaab to launch attacks against positions or bases vacated by AUSSOM troops.

The coming weeks are expected to be critical in determining whether the transition can be managed without creating exploitable security gaps.

The key test will not simply be whether Somali forces can occupy positions previously held by Ethiopian troops, but whether they can establish sustainable security perimeters, maintain freedom of movement along critical routes and prevent Al-Shabaab from turning the transition into an operational advantage.

Buurhakaba could consequently emerge as an important early indicator of Somalia’s capacity to manage the transition from AUSSOM-held positions to Somali-led security arrangements amid continuing political and military pressure.

Ethiopia’s Withdrawal from Buurhakaba Base Raises Security Concerns in Somalia

Troops Rescue Kidnapped Man After Escape From Abductors in Plateau Forest

By Zagazola Makama

Troops of Sector 2, Operation ENDURING PEACE (OPEP), have rescued a kidnapped victim during an offensive operation in Kanam Local Government Area of Plateau State.

The troops rescued the victim, identified as 37-year-old Malam Adamu Umar, at about 6:45 a.m. on Aug. 10 on the outskirts of Kukawa village in Kanam LGA.

A military source told Zagazola Makama that Umar, an indigene of Furiyam in Kanam, was abducted from Duguri village in Bauchi State on Aug. 6.

The victim reportedly escaped from his abductors and had been wandering through Madam Forest before he was located by the troops during the offensive operation.

According to the source, the troops successfully rescued Umar and subsequently handed him over to the Kukawa village leader for reunification with his family.

The operation illustrated the continued efforts by troops of Operation ENDURING PEACE to deny criminal elements freedom of movement and rescue victims held in isolated forest areas across the region.

Troops Rescue Kidnapped Man After Escape From Abductors in Plateau Forest