Troops rescue woman abducted by terrorists in 2017 in Borno and forced into child marriage

Troops of the 82 Division Task Force Battalion, operating under Operation HADIN KAI and Operation DESERT SANITY V, have rescued a woman and her two children during a perimeter clearance patrol around Amuda Bridge in Borno State.

The victims were intercepted at about 6:30 a.m. on Friday, August 14, 2026 during the patrol conducted by troops of the battalion.

Security analyst Zagazola Makama reported on Monday, August 17, that the woman, identified as 25-year-old Rukaya Mohammed, was rescued alongside her two children, six-year-old Hauwa Mustapha and four-year-old Fati Mustapha.

Preliminary interrogation revealed that Rukaya was abducted in 2017 from Vartalaka and subsequently forced into a child marriage in Chinene, where she lived with her husband in Wunje community.

She reportedly told troops that disagreements among the terrorists created an opportunity for their escape after a number of the fighters abandoned the camp.

The rescued woman and her children have since been handed over to officials for necessary action.