Nigeria 360 Hostages Regain Freedom as Boko Haram Still Holds Teenagers
At least 360 men, women, and children abducted in Nigeria have regained freedom following a military rescue operation, even as several teenagers remain in captivity under the control of insurgents.
Security sources confirmed that the victims were among over 400 people seized during a large-scale attack carried out by Boko Haram fighters on a rural farming community during the Ramadan period, an assault that left destruction, deaths, and widespread displacement.
Troops under Operation Hadin Kai said the rescue followed weeks of intelligence gathering, surveillance, and coordinated ground operations aimed at locating and isolating insurgent positions where the hostages were being held.
According to military authorities, special forces advanced in a carefully planned mission that forced insurgents to abandon their positions and retreat deeper into surrounding difficult terrain, allowing troops to secure hundreds of captives.
The rescued victims were immediately evacuated for medical attention and humanitarian support, with officials describing the operation as a major breakthrough in ongoing counter-insurgency efforts.
However, accounts from some of the freed victims indicate that not all captives were released. They said teenage boys and girls, along with some young adults, were kept back by the insurgents, while older men, women, and younger children were allowed to leave.
One of the victims said the group was instructed to move out of the area at night before later encountering military personnel at the base of the terrain, where they were transported to safety.
Other sources suggested that sustained military pressure and possible negotiations may have influenced the release, though authorities have not confirmed any ransom payment or exchange arrangement.
Officials also confirmed a tragic development, stating that two infants died due to exhaustion and harsh conditions endured during their captivity.
The freed hostages were received by relatives in emotional scenes marked by relief and anguish, as many families discovered that their loved ones were not among those released.
Some parents have since appealed to government and security agencies to intensify efforts to rescue those still missing, especially teenagers believed to remain in insurgent custody.
Security analysts warned that retaining young captives is a recurring tactic used by insurgents, often involving forced recruitment, coercion, or exploitation.
Leaders and officials commended the military for the rescue operation, describing it as a significant success, while urging sustained efforts to ensure the release of all remaining hostages.
The incident adds to Nigeria’s long history of mass abductions, underscoring the persistent security challenges facing communities despite ongoing military operations.
