The Nigerian army said it successfully rescued 360 people kidnapped by the Islamic militant group Boko Haram since early this year in the country's northeast. The rescue operation took place at a Boko Haram base in southern Borno state, described by the military as "one of the major successes" in the fight against terrorism.
According to a statement from the Nigerian military on September 21, security forces entered the Mandara Mountains region—a stronghold of Boko Haram where the group held hundreds of people "in harsh conditions." Army spokesman Haruna Sani said two infants "died due to exhaustion from the rugged mountain terrain and the terrible conditions during their captivity."
"The rescued hostages have been moved to safe locations for medical care and humanitarian support. This is a major success in the campaign and a significant blow to the terrorist group," Sani said. Many Boko Haram fighters fled into nearby mountains while others surrendered, though the military has not confirmed whether any arrests were made.
A local youth leader and a senator from Borno state confirmed the rescue to AFP on September 20, but said the number of people freed exceeded 400. Previously, Boko Haram had demanded millions of Nigerian naira in ransom for the hostages.
Borno state has long been a hotspot for armed groups, including Boko Haram and criminal gangs, sparking a security crisis in northeastern Nigeria since 2009 when the group launched its bloody attacks. Boko Haram frequently conducts kidnappings and collected approximately $1.66 million in ransom between July 2024 and June 2025, according to Lagos-based consultancy SBM Intelligence.
In response, the Nigerian military has intensified operations against Boko Haram and its splinter group ISWAP—the West African affiliate of the Islamic State (IS). Nigeria said a joint operation with the United States last month killed 175 ISWAP fighters. Nigerian and U.S. presidents also announced the elimination of Abu-Bilal al-Minuki, described as IS's "second-in-command."
The war waged by Boko Haram and other armed groups has killed tens of thousands of people and displaced at least two million.
