MAIDUGURI, Nigeria – Nigeria’s security forces have freed 360 men, women and children from a mountain hideout where they were being held by kidnappers in Borno state in its north-east, after an intelligence-led operation, the military said on Sunday.
The government of the West African nation has struggled for years to tackle insecurity, ranging from herder-farmer conflicts across its centre to kidnapping gangs, Islamist militants and community defence militia that operate across northern states.
The abductees were being held by a group known as Jama’atu Ahlis Sunna Lidda’awati wal-Jihad (JAS) deep in the Mandara mountains in the southern part of the state, the military said in a statement. JAS is the official Arabic name of the main faction of Boko Haram.
They were captured from various communities in the area over an unspecified period.
The rescue operation was carried out by a joint task force that includes special forces, who forced JAS fighters to abandon their positions, the military said.
Two children who were in captivity died due to exhaustion and the impact of the harsh environment that the hostages were held in, the military said.
The widespread kidnappings and the ever-expanding presence of armed groups across Nigeria — Africa’s most populous country — will probably be key issues in the run-up to a presidential election in January.
- Nigerian security forces rescued 360 hostages, including men, women, and children, from Boko Haram captivity in Borno state's Mandara mountains.
- The abductees were taken from various local communities over an unspecified time period.
- The joint military operation involved special forces who forced Boko Haram fighters to abandon their positions.
- Two children died in captivity due to exhaustion and harsh conditions.
- Kidnappings and armed group activities remain major security challenges ahead of Nigeria’s January presidential election.
