On August 13, Nigerian security forces announced they had successfully rescued more than 300 people held captive by armed groups in the dense forests of Kainji Lake National Park in the north-central region. President Bola Ahmed Tinubu praised the operation as the largest one-day hostage rescue in Nigeria's history.
According to officials, the joint mission involved the military, police, and counter-terrorism units. Among those freed were 163 people kidnapped in an attack on Woro village, Kwara State, in February, as well as 145 others abducted in neighboring Niger State. Both states border Benin to the west, a region experiencing rising militant attacks. The victims are undergoing medical checks at a military base before being reunited with their families.
President Tinubu emphasized: "The successful execution of this intelligence-driven operation demonstrates the effectiveness and improved coordination among our security forces." He also acknowledged the bravery and commitment of the soldiers in protecting Nigerian citizens.
Government spokesperson Bayo Onanuga said the rescue operation is part of the President's efforts to "restore lasting peace across all parts of the country."
Kidnapping for ransom has become widespread in Africa's most populous nation over the past decade, particularly in the northern regions, where armed gangs and jihadist militants operate in dense forests and vast scrublands.
According to a report by Lagos-based geopolitical consultancy SBM Intelligence, from July 2024 to June 2025, at least 4,722 people were kidnapped in 997 incidents, resulting in at least 762 deaths. During this period, kidnappers demanded a total of 48 billion naira (approximately $35 million), and families and communities paid at least 2.57 billion naira in ransom to free their loved ones.
Ahead of the presidential election in January, where President Tinubu is seeking a second term, the government is intensifying reforms and rescue campaigns amid a worsening security situation.
The new rescue operation was announced the same week the military declared a wanted notice for the leader of the Islamic State in West Africa (ISWAP), Abu Musa al-Mangawi Baa Shuwa, and his deputy, Amirul Jaish Muhammad Jidda. The two run the IS-linked faction of Boko Haram, operating mainly around the Lake Chad Basin, which borders Cameroon, Chad, Niger, and Nigeria.
Earlier in July, Nigerian security forces rescued at least 40 students and teachers kidnapped from a school in Oyo, southwestern Nigeria, in May. Last week, the government also announced salary increases ranging from 30% to 80% for thousands of soldiers, the largest boost in years for a military once considered among the continent's strongest but now seen as underfunded and under-equipped to handle simultaneous insurgencies across Nigeria.
