The Nigerian army frees 360 abducted people in northeastern Borno state
[June 08, 2026]
By DYEPKAZAH SHIBAYAN
ABUJA,
Nigeria (AP) — The Nigerian army said Sunday it freed 360 people
abducted by Boko Haram in southern Borno, in the northeastern part of
the country.
The operation, according to the army’s statement, was conducted in the
Mandara mountains which form a part of the militant group’s stronghold.
It resulted in the release of several people, including children, who
had been abducted across different communities in Borno. |
In this photo released by Nigerian Army, freed women and children that
were abducted by Boko Haram in southern Borno, Nigeria. Saturday, June
6, 2026. (Nigerian Army via AP) |
|
Two infants “succumbed to exhaustion" due to the challenging
mountainous terrain and the hardship they endured during their
prolonged captivity, an army spokesperson, Haruna Sani, said.
“The remaining rescued abductees were successfully evacuated to
safe locations for medical care and humanitarian support,
marking a major operational success and a significant setback
for the terrorist group,” Sani said.
Nigeria faces a complex security crisis, especially in the north
where a more than decade-long insurgency and the activities of
armed groups that carry out kidnappings for ransom and illegal
mining have heightened the country’s security challenges.
Among the most prominent Islamic militant groups are Boko Haram
and its breakaway faction, which is affiliated with the Islamic
State group and known as Islamic State West Africa Province.
Last month, the West African country said its joint operation
with the United States had killed 175 ISWAP fighters.
The insurgency in Nigeria’s northeast has killed thousands of
people and displaced millions, according to the United Nations.
Analysts say not enough is being done by the government to
protect its citizens, despite repeated promises by President
Bola Tinubu to curb the crisis.
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