Nigerian President Bola Tinubu announced on Wednesday that security forces successfully rescued at least 308 people who had been held captive by armed groups. Describing the mission as the “largest rescue operation ever” conducted in a single day, the president stated that the freed individuals were recovered from a forest and are currently receiving medical attention.
The group of rescued victims included 163 people who were abducted in February from the Woro community in the Kaiama area of Kwara state, along with 145 others kidnapped primarily from Niger state. While the government did not disclose the specific details of the mission, President Tinubu credited the success to an intelligence-led operation.
“The successful execution of this intelligence-led operation demonstrates the growing efficiency and collaboration among our security services,” Tinubu said in a formal statement. He further praised the personnel involved, adding, “I commend our gallant men and women in uniform for their bravery and unwavering commitment to safeguarding Nigerian lives.”
Abductions remain a significant security challenge in Nigeria, where militant groups frequently target schools to pressure the government or secure ransom payments. Armed groups, often referred to as bandits, carry out regular raids in the country’s northwest and north-central regions. Authorities have identified many of these groups as former herders who turned to violence following resource-based clashes with farming communities. Additionally, the country continues to face a long-standing insurgency in its northeast that has persisted for more than a decade.
