Nigeria rescues 308 in major security sweep

Nigeria’s security forces have rescued 308 abducted people in a sweeping operation in the country’s north-central region, a move the presidency says is the largest single-day rescue carried out by joint forces. The operation is being cast in Abuja as a rare sign of stronger coordination among the military, police, intelligence services and counter-terrorism officials.

The rescue took place at Kainji Lake National Park in Niger State and involved multiple arms of Nigeria’s security apparatus. Presidential spokesman Bayo Onanuga said President Bola Ahmed Tinubu welcomed what he called the successful rescue of Nigerian citizens taken in separate attacks in Niger and Kwara states. He added that it was the biggest rescue operation ever completed in one day.

Among those freed were 163 people abducted in a February attack on the Woro community in Kwara State, where scores were killed. Another 145 or more had been taken in Niger State. The victims were moved to a military site for medical care before being reunited with relatives. Authorities have not said whether any suspects were detained during the operation.

The rescue operation comes after a brutal stretch of violence that has put renewed pressure on Nigerian officials to show they can protect civilians. In the Woro attack, armed jihadists reportedly demanded that residents renounce the Nigerian government and its constitution and instead accept the group’s teachings, in what amounted to an attempt to impose its own system of rule in the area.