308 abductees rescued in Nigeria’s largest operation
At least 308 people abducted in different attacks in the northern part of Nigeria were rescued, the country’s president said Wednesday, reports BritPanorama.
The rescued individuals include 163 people taken from the Woro community in the Kaiama area of Kwara state in February, and 145 individuals abducted mostly from Niger state, according to President Bola Tinubu. Details surrounding the operation that led to the recovery of these individuals, who spent months in captivity, remain undisclosed, though the statement indicated they were rescued from a forest and are currently receiving medical attention.
This operation has been described as the “largest rescue operation ever” conducted in a single day by Nigeria’s security forces, as noted by Tinubu.
“The successful execution of this intelligence-led operation demonstrates the growing efficiency and collaboration among our security services,” the president stated. He further commended the “gallant men and women in uniform for their bravery and unwavering commitment to safeguarding Nigerian lives.”
Abductions at schools have become increasingly common in Nigeria, where militant groups target educational institutions to exert pressure on the government and secure ransom payments.
Armed groups, referred to as bandits in Nigeria, routinely carry out raids and kidnappings for ransom, primarily in the northwest and north-central regions of the country. Authorities indicate that these bandit groups are often comprised of former herders who have turned to violence against farming communities following confrontations over diminishing resources.
Moreover, a persistent insurgency in the northeastern part of Nigeria has lasted for over a decade.
