Nigeria frees 308 kidnapping victims in coordinated security operation
Nigeria's National Counter Terrorism Centre led a joint operation that rescued 308 abducted citizens from Niger and Kwara states, officials said.
More than 300 people who had been kidnapped across Nigeria were released following an intelligence-driven operation involving the National Counter Terrorism Centre, the armed forces, police and the Department of State Services. The operation, described as the largest simultaneous rescue carried out by Nigeria's joint security teams, freed 163 victims from the Woro Community in Kaiama, Kwara State, and 145 from the Kainji Lake National Park Forest in New Bussa, Niger State.
"President Bola Ahmed Tinubu warmly welcomes the successful rescue of 308 Nigerian citizens who were abducted in different attacks in Niger and Kwara states," said Bayo Onanuga, a special adviser to the president.
The Kwara State government also expressed gratitude to the president and security forces for the operation.
Kidnapping for ransom by criminal groups, Boko Haram-linked fighters and bandits has been a persistent security challenge in Nigeria, affecting schools, churches and mosques in remote areas. Recent incidents include the abduction of 177 people from three churches in Kaduna State on Jan. 18 and the release of at least 40 students and teachers kidnapped in Oyo State last month.
"The successful execution of this intelligence-led operation demonstrates the growing efficiency and collaboration among our security services," President Tinubu said in a statement.
The president previously announced that the military had neutralised more than 13,000 terrorists in the past year and rescued 360 people abducted by Boko Haram.