Hundreds rescued from Boko Haram handed over to borno authorities

In a significant rescue operation, the Nigerian military handed over more than 400 women and children to local authorities in Borno State on Monday. These individuals had been abducted earlier this year by the jihadist group Boko Haram and were freed through a coordinated military operation over the weekend.

Decade-long insurgency fuels ongoing violence

Since its emergence in 2009, the Boko Haram insurgency, later joined by its rival faction, the Islamic State’s West Africa Province (ISWAP), has devastated the Lake Chad region and the wider northeast of Nigeria. The conflict has claimed tens of thousands of lives and displaced millions, leaving communities in perpetual fear of attacks and abductions.

Mass kidnappings, often followed by demands for ransom payments, remain a grim hallmark of the insurgents’ tactics. Military officials confirmed that the recent rescues were not the result of negotiations but rather the outcome of precision intelligence-led operations carried out by Nigerian armed forces.

Rescue efforts expand over several weeks

According to the Borno State Governor, Babagana Umara Zulum, approximately 360 individuals were freed during the weekend operation, while an additional 82 were rescued two to three weeks prior. This brings the total number of freed captives to around 434, all of whom were handed over to authorities in Pulka for processing and support.

The victims were taken from Ngoshe, a village situated less than 10 kilometers from the Cameroonian border in the rugged Gwoza hills—a region long plagued by Boko Haram’s presence. The area has repeatedly borne the brunt of the group’s violent campaigns, making it a frequent target of military counterinsurgency efforts.

Survivors express gratitude amid lingering trauma

Speaking from the Pulka displacement camp, one of the freed women, Hassana Buba, 43, shared her relief. “We are eternally grateful to Allah for our rescue,” she said. “This is a moment of immense joy, and we will never forget the kindness of those who brought us back to safety.”

While Nigerian authorities have repeatedly denied paying ransoms, independent analysts estimate that substantial sums have been exchanged to secure the release of captives. Between July 2024 and June 2025 alone, over $1.6 million in ransom payments were reportedly made to various armed groups in Nigeria—including jihadists, bandits, and separatist factions—according to findings from a Lagos-based intelligence firm.