Nigerian Army rescues 360 Boko Haram abductees in Borno operation
Borno, Nigeria
The Nigerian Army says it has secured the release of 360 people abducted by Boko Haram earlier this year in the country’s northeast.
The rescue operation took place Sunday in the Mandara Mountains, a Boko Haram stronghold in southern Borno state, the military said in a statement.
Rescue in Mandara Mountains
Troops descended on the insurgents’ hideout where hundreds of captives were held “under harsh conditions,” army spokesperson Haruna Sani said. Two infants died from “exhaustion occasioned by the extremely challenging mountainous terrain” and conditions during captivity.
“The remaining rescued abductees were successfully evacuated to safe locations for medical care and humanitarian support, marking a major operational success and a significant setback for the terrorist group,” Sani added.
How the Operation Unfolded
The military said it gathered intelligence and used “psychological operations” to sow “mistrust within the insurgent ranks” before launching the assault. Several Boko Haram fighters fled into the mountains, while others surrendered. The army did not confirm arrests.
A local youth leader and Borno senator told AFP on Saturday that more than 400 people were freed. Boko Haram had demanded millions of naira in ransom for the captives.
Borno Still at the Centre of Insecurity
Borno remains the epicentre of armed groups, bandits, and separatists driving Nigeria’s northeast security crisis since Boko Haram’s insurgency began in 2009. The group regularly carries out kidnappings and raised about $1.66m in ransom between July 2024 and June 2025, per Lagos-based SBM Intelligence.
In response, Nigeria’s military has ramped up operations against Boko Haram and ISWAP, the ISIL affiliate in West Africa Province. Nigeria said a joint operation with the US killed 175 ISWAP fighters last month. In mid-May, the Nigerian and US presidents announced the killing of Abu-Bilal al-Minuki, described as ISIL’s second-in-command.
The conflict led by Boko Haram and other armed groups has killed tens of thousands and displaced at least 2 million people.
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