The Nigerian army has announced the rescue of 360 people abducted by Boko Haram earlier this year in the northeastern part of the country. The operation took place in a Boko Haram stronghold in the Mandara mountains in southern Borno State, where fighters were holding hundreds under harsh conditions.

Army spokesman Haruna Sani said two infants succumbed to exhaustion due to the extremely challenging mountainous terrain and conditions endured during captivity. The remaining rescued abductees were evacuated to safe locations for medical care and humanitarian support.

The military statement said troops gathered intelligence and used psychological operations to sow mistrust within insurgent ranks before the assault. Several Boko Haram fighters fled into the mountains, while others surrendered, though no arrests were confirmed.

A local youth leader and Borno senator confirmed the release to AFP, but said the group included more than 400 people. Boko Haram had demanded millions of naira in ransom for the captives.

Borno State is a hotbed for armed groups, bandits, and separatists driving northeastern Nigeria's security crisis, which escalated in 2009 when Boko Haram began its attacks. The group raised about $1.66 million in ransom payments between July 2024 and June 2025, according to SBM Intelligence.

The Nigerian military has ramped up efforts against Boko Haram and its breakaway faction ISWAP. Last month, a joint operation with the US killed 175 ISWAP fighters.

Source: www.aljazeera.com