Nigerian Forces Rescue Over 300 Kidnap Victims

Nigerian security forces have rescued more than 300 people abducted in separate attacks by armed groups, in what the government described as the largest single-day rescue operation in the country.

The presidency said on Wednesday that 308 victims were freed during a military operation in the Kainji Lake National Park Forest. Those rescued included 163 residents taken from Woro village in Kwara State during a February attack, while the remaining 145 victims had been abducted in neighbouring Niger State.

The attack on Woro, a community near Nigeria’s border with Benin, reportedly left more than 150 people dead, according to residents, and dozens of others were kidnapped. Local authorities gave a lower death toll, but the incident prompted widespread condemnation and the deployment of additional security personnel to the area.

Presidential spokesman Bayo Onanuga said President Bola Tinubu welcomed the operation, describing the rescue as a significant achievement in ongoing efforts to combat armed groups.

Following the February attack, Tinubu condemned what he called a “beastly attack”, blamed Boko Haram militants, and directed security agencies to intensify operations in the affected areas. Authorities have not said whether any suspects were arrested during the latest rescue operation.

SOURCE: AFP