Nigeria: More than 300 hostages freed in a large-scale security operation

Nigerian security forces have freed 308 people abducted in separate attacks in Niger and Kwara states. The presidency describes the operation as the largest ever conducted in a single day in the country.

The operation took place in Lake Kainji National Park, in Niger State, with the participation of the army, police, intelligence services, and the National Counter-Terrorism Center. The victims received medical treatment at a military site before being released to their families.

Among those freed are 163 residents of the Woro community in Kwara State, abducted in a February attack that left dozens dead. Amnesty International reported at the time that many of the victims were found bound hand and foot, some with their throats slit, others shot dead. At least 145 other hostages were from Niger State.

“President Bola Ahmed Tinubu warmly welcomes the successful rescue of 308 Nigerian citizens abducted during various attacks in Niger and Kwara States,” said presidential spokesperson Bayo Onanuga, adding that it was “the largest rescue operation ever carried out” in a single day. Tinubu presented this result as evidence of improved coordination among the country’s security agencies.

During the attack on Woro, armed jihadists demanded that residents renounce the Nigerian government and its constitution in order to submit to their precepts, attempting to impose a parallel system of governance in the region. The Nigerian government attributed the attack to Boko Haram, which has not issued any statement on the matter. It is not yet known whether any suspects were arrested during the liberation operation.

This announcement comes a few weeks after the release of 44 students and teachers abducted during an attack on a school in Oyo State, who had been held captive for more than 50 days. The increasing number of kidnappings in north-central and southern Nigeria is fueling concerns that insecurity is spreading beyond the country's traditional conflict zones.