Former Vice President and African Democratic Congress presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, has welcomed the rescue of 360 persons abducted by terrorists in Ngoshe, Borno State, describing it as a major relief for victims and their families.
The hostages were freed on Sunday, June 7, 2026, by troops of Operation HADIN KAI during a coordinated, intelligence-led operation in the Mandara Mountains area of southern Borno, a known insurgent enclave.
Military sources said the victims were abducted in March 2026 during a Boko Haram attack on Ngoshe in Gwoza Local Government Area, where insurgents overran parts of the community, killed an unspecified number of residents and destroyed operational vehicles before taking dozens captive.
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Reacting in a statement posted on his X handle on Monday, June 8, 2026, Atiku commended the armed forces and other security agencies for the successful rescue operation, describing it as evidence of their capacity to deliver results when properly supported.
He said Nigeria’s military could end the nearly two-decade insurgency if adequately equipped and backed by strong and consistent political leadership.
Atiku, however, urged authorities not to relent, calling for intensified efforts to secure the release of other Nigerians still in captivity, including schoolchildren and teachers reportedly abducted in Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State and Mussa in Borno State.
He also called for a restructuring of the country’s security architecture, stressing intelligence-led operations, wider use of technology and preventive strategies aimed at stopping attacks before they occur.