Nigerian military frees 360 captives in Boko Haram bastion

Nigeria’s armed forces announced on Sunday the rescue of 360 individuals who had been abducted by Boko Haram in the southern part of Borno State, located in the country’s northeast.

The operation took place in the Mandara Mountains, a region known as a stronghold for the terrorist group, the military said. This latest action intensifies pressure on jihadists, coming just weeks after Nigerian authorities reported that a joint mission with the United States had eliminated 175 fighters linked to ISWAP.

Nigeria continues to grapple with a severe security crisis, particularly in its northern territories. Over a decade of jihadist insurgency, combined with rising kidnappings for ransom and illegal mining activities, has persistently undermined regional stability. The United Nations estimates that the conflict in northeastern Nigeria has resulted in thousands of deaths and forced millions to flee their homes. Despite repeated promises by President Bola Tinubu to end the insecurity, many analysts argue that current measures remain inadequate to guarantee the safety of civilians.