Nigeria’s military frees 308 hostages from jihadists

Nigeria’s military freed 308 people on Thursday after six months held by jihadists in the northwest, the biggest one-day rescue in the country’s history. Troops found the captives in two forest camps near Kaduna and Zamfara states, according to the defence ministry. Most were farmers, traders and students seized during raids on villages and busy markets between February and April.

The northwest has suffered a surge in kidnappings by armed gangs loosely linked to jihadist groups like Boko Haram and Islamic State West Africa Province. Bandits have exploited weak security, poor roads and porous borders to carry out mass abductions for ransom or forced recruitment. This year alone, more than 1,500 people have been taken in the region, according to local monitoring groups. The government’s decision to launch large-scale raids shows growing pressure to curb the violence ahead of next year’s elections.

Victims described beatings, forced labour and threats of execution if ransoms were not paid. One 22-year-old student told reporters he was held with 40 others in a cave; they survived on stolen farm supplies and rainwater. Military officials said 20 gunmen were killed and four arrested during the rescue, while two soldiers were wounded. The freed hostages are now receiving medical checks and trauma support in state-run centres.

Officials warn that more operations will follow, but admit the crisis is far from over. Kidnappers still control vast rural areas and often move captives deeper into the bush. Analysts say the government must combine military action with job creation and community policing to stop the cycle of abductions. Without that, the cycle of violence will keep feeding itself.