Nigerian security forces have rescued at least 308 people who had been abducted in separate incidents across the country's northern regions, President Bola Tinubu announced Wednesday. The rescued individuals include 163 people taken from the Woro community in Kaiama, Kwara state, in February, and 145 others kidnapped mostly from Niger state.
Tinubu described the rescue as the “largest rescue operation ever” undertaken by the nation's security forces in a single day. Details of the operation were not fully disclosed, but the statement indicated the abductees were freed from a forest and are now receiving medical attention.
"The successful execution of this intelligence-led operation demonstrates the growing efficiency and collaboration among our security services," the president said in a statement. "I commend our gallant men and women in uniform for their bravery and unwavering commitment to safeguarding Nigerian lives."
Abductions, often for ransom, are a persistent challenge in Nigeria. Militant groups frequently target schools, while armed groups, known locally as bandits, conduct raids and kidnappings for ransom in the northwest and north-central parts of the country. These bandit groups are often comprised of former herders who have resorted to violence following conflicts with farming communities over diminishing resources. Additionally, Nigeria faces a more than decade-long insurgency in its northeastern region.