Over 360 Boko Haram Kidnap Victims Freed in Northeastern Nigeria

More than 360 people abducted by Boko Haram in Nigeria’s Borno State have been freed, with both the military and local mediators claiming credit for securing their release.

More than 360 people abducted by Boko Haram militants from a predominantly Muslim community in Nigeria’s northeastern Borno State in March have regained their freedom after being held in a remote mountain hideout.

However, differing accounts have emerged regarding how the captives were released. The Nigerian military says the operation resulted from a carefully planned intelligence-led mission that caught the insurgents off guard after weeks of preparation.

Meanwhile, the Borno South Youth Initiative claims it played a key role in negotiating the unconditional release of the hostages, stating that 416 people were freed.

Mass kidnappings for ransom have become increasingly common across Nigeria, despite laws prohibiting ransom payments. Armed groups frequently target vulnerable communities, schools, places of worship, and remote villages to generate revenue.

Boko Haram gained international notoriety in 2014 after abducting more than 200 schoolgirls from Chibok, many of whom remain unaccounted for. During its insurgency, the group forced captives into sexual slavery, domestic servitude, and suicide missions.

Military spokesperson Lt-Col Haruna M. Sani described the raid on Boko Haram’s Mandara Mountain hideout as one of the most significant hostage rescue operations conducted in northeastern Nigeria. He said troops launched the assault under the cover of darkness, overwhelming the militants and forcing many to flee while others surrendered.

Authorities say the rescued hostages are receiving medical treatment. According to Daniel Bwala, a special adviser to President Bola Tinubu, two infants died due to exhaustion caused by prolonged captivity and the difficult terrain.

The victims were abducted from communities around Ngoshe, near Nigeria’s border with Cameroon. The kidnappings reportedly occurred during an attack in March as residents were breaking their Ramadan fast.

Samaila Kaigama, president of the Borno South Youth Alliance, insists local mediators had been engaging the militants and advocating for the hostages’ release. He criticized government officials for taking credit for what he described as community-led efforts.

Images and videos released by the military showed the freed captives resting outdoors after their rescue. Local authorities have since assured residents that security measures are being strengthened to enable displaced families to return to their farms safely.

Officials also believe some abductees may have escaped into neighboring Cameroon, with efforts underway to facilitate their return.

Boko Haram launched its insurgency in 2009 with the aim of establishing Islamic rule in northern Nigeria. Although the group no longer controls large territories as it once did, it remains a significant security threat alongside other armed factions operating in the region.

Nigeria continues to face multiple security challenges, including Islamist insurgencies, kidnapping networks, communal conflicts over land, and separatist violence. Earlier this year, US military personnel were deployed to assist Nigerian forces with training and intelligence support, while a recent joint Nigeria-US operation reportedly eliminated a senior leader of the Islamic State group.