ABUJA, Nigeria — Nigerian troops have rescued 360 elderly men, women, and children abducted by Boko Haram insurgents in Borno State, the military said Tuesday, though dozens of teenage boys and girls remain in captivity.
The victims were freed during an operation in the Mandara Mountains, where fighters had been holding hundreds of captives. The military’s Operation Hadin Kai said the rescue was part of ongoing efforts to dismantle Boko Haram’s strongholds in the northeast.
Boko Haram, designated a terrorist organization responsible for severe harm, loss of life, and human rights violations, has waged a brutal insurgency in Nigeria for more than a decade. The group gained global notoriety in 2014 after abducting more than 270 schoolgirls from Chibok, many of whom remain missing. Similar mass kidnappings have continued in the years since, including the 2018 Dapchi schoolgirls case and repeated raids on villages across Borno and Yobe states.
Reactions to the latest rescue have been swift. On social media, many Nigerians expressed relief and gratitude to the military, with posts celebrating the freed captives and calling for prayers for those still held. Others voiced frustration that teenage boys and girls remain in Boko Haram’s enclave, demanding stronger action to secure their release. “We cannot celebrate halfway victories,” one user wrote. “Every child must come home.”
Policy makers and stakeholders have also weighed in. Lawmakers in Abuja praised the military’s efforts but urged sustained pressure to prevent further abductions. Civil society groups called for better rehabilitation programs for rescued victims, warning that trauma and displacement often leave survivors vulnerable. Analysts noted that while the rescue is a significant achievement, it underscores the enduring challenge of insurgency in Nigeria’s northeast.
For many Nigerians, the incident is a painful reminder of the human toll of Boko Haram’s campaign. The rescue has reignited calls for reforms in security strategy, improved intelligence gathering, and stronger community protection measures. As one activist put it, “Until every captive is free, Nigeria cannot claim victory over terror.”
