Nigerian authorities have freed 308 kidnapping victims in the largest single-day rescue operation ever conducted by the country's joint security forces. President Bola Ahmed Tinubu welcomed the rescue of hostages taken from Niger and Kwara states, while spokesperson Bayo Onanuga confirmed the release.
The victims were recovered from Kainji Lake National Park Forest. Among them, 163 were abducted from Woro Community in Kwara State during a February attack that killed at least 200 people, and 145 were taken from Niger State. The operation involved the National Counter-Terrorism Centre, armed forces, police, and the Department of State Services.
Mass abductions remain pervasive across Nigeria. Kidnappings generated roughly $1.66 million in ransom between July 2024 and June 2025. Violence continues: armed men seized at least 52 people, including children, in Zamfara State over the weekend.