Three hundred and sixty people walked out of the Mandara mountains on Sunday. After months of captivity under Boko Haram, they were free.
The Nigerian Army confirmed the rescue operation in a statement, describing how troops descended on a Boko Haram stronghold in southern Borno State and secured the release of hundreds of abductees held under harsh conditions.
Inside the Operation
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The rescue unfolded in the Mandara mountains — a rugged terrain that Boko Haram has long used as a base of operations. Security forces received intelligence on the location of the hostages and moved in with precision.
Tragically, two infants died from the harsh conditions of captivity before the rescue could reach them. That detail cast a shadow over what was otherwise a significant military achievement. However, the survival of more than 360 others was the outcome security forces had worked toward.
The Human Cost of the Crisis
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Borno State has been at the centre of Nigeria’s northeast security crisis since 2009, when Boko Haram launched its first attacks. Since then, millions of people have been displaced and thousands killed.
Kidnapping remains one of the group’s most damaging tactics. According to SBM Intelligence, Boko Haram raised approximately $1.66 million in ransom payments between July 2024 and June 2025 alone. Those figures represent the suffering of real families.
Protests and Pressure
Earlier this week, protesters gathered in Abuja demanding stronger government action against kidnapping in northern Nigeria. The timing of the rescue — coming just days after those demonstrations — gave the operation added significance.
The military says its operations will continue. For the 360 people now reunited with their families, that commitment cannot come soon enough.
