In a significant humanitarian operation, Nigerian military forces have transferred over 400 women and children to local authorities after their liberation from captivity. These individuals had been abducted earlier this year by the extremist group Boko Haram in Nigeria’s volatile Borno State, located in the country’s northeast.
Northeastern Nigeria has endured a decade of devastating violence, initiated by Boko Haram in 2009 and later intensified by the emergence of the Islamic State’s West Africa Province (ISWAP). The insurgency has claimed tens of thousands of lives and displaced millions, leaving communities shattered and in perpetual fear.
Rescue operation yields results beyond negotiations
Contrary to the group’s common practice of demanding ransoms for mass abductions, these individuals were freed through a military operation conducted over the weekend. Defense officials confirmed that intelligence-led actions led to the rescue of approximately 360 people, while an additional 82 were freed in the weeks prior. Borno State Governor Babagana Umara Zulum reported the total number of rescued captives now stands at around 434.
The victims were taken from the remote village of Ngoshe, situated less than 10 kilometers from the Cameroonian border within the rugged Gwoza hills—a region long plagued by Boko Haram’s brutal campaigns. The area, recognized as a historic stronghold for the extremist group, has witnessed repeated incursions and brutal attacks over the years.
Emotional reunions mark return to safety
At the Pulka displacement camp, where the rescued individuals were handed over, one of the freed women, Hassana Buba, expressed profound relief. “We are eternally grateful to Allah for this liberation,” she shared. “Our joy knows no bounds, and we celebrate this moment with deep gratitude.”
While authorities deny paying ransoms—despite widespread allegations—the practice persists, both within government circles and among affected families. Data from a Lagos-based intelligence firm, SBM Intelligence, revealed that between July 2024 and June 2025, approximately $1.66 million was paid to armed groups in Nigeria, including jihadists, armed bandits, and separatist factions.
