More Than 300 Abductees Rescued Alive in one of the country’s most significant security operations this year, according to an official statement from the presidency.
The rescue mission led to the safe recovery of 308 abducted people who had been held by armed criminal groups in a forested area within Kainji Lake National Park. Security officials said the operation was carried out through close cooperation between intelligence and law enforcement agencies.
Among those rescued were 163 people who were abducted from Woro village in Kwara State during a violent attack in February. Another 145 victims had earlier been kidnapped in neighboring Niger State.
The operation was coordinated by the National Counter Terrorism Centre and involved personnel from the Nigerian Army, the Nigeria Police Force, and the Department of State Services. Authorities have not confirmed whether any suspected kidnappers were arrested during the mission.
Following their rescue, the victims were taken to a military facility where they are receiving medical attention and psychological support before being reunited with their families.
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu praised the success of the operation, describing it as evidence of growing cooperation among Nigeria’s security institutions. He commended the agencies involved and reaffirmed the government’s commitment to strengthening efforts against kidnapping and terrorism across the country.
The rescue follows months of concern over the fate of residents taken during the deadly assault on Woro village. Earlier this year, suspected jihadist fighters attacked the community after allegedly threatening to return when local residents ignored an earlier message inviting them to attend a religious gathering.
The attackers reportedly set homes on fire, leaving much of the village destroyed, and killed a large number of residents before abducting several others. While different figures emerged regarding the number of people kidnapped during the attack, authorities recently confirmed that more than 160 victims from the community were among those rescued.
At the time of the attack, President Tinubu condemned the violence and ordered additional military forces to the affected area. The government linked the assault to extremist groups operating in the region, where security threats have increased in recent years.
Kwara State has also experienced growing concerns over extremist activity after the Al Qaeda linked Group for the Support of Islam and Muslims, commonly known as JNIM, claimed responsibility for an attack in the state earlier this year. The development raised fresh concerns about the expansion of militant networks into areas previously considered relatively secure.
Despite recent security successes, kidnapping remains one of Nigeria’s biggest security challenges. Criminal gangs, armed bandits, and terrorist groups continue to target communities, schools, highways, and rural settlements, often demanding large ransom payments for the release of victims.
The latest rescue operation comes only days after another attack in Zamfara State, where gunmen reportedly abducted at least 52 people, including children, during raids on a village and a nearby military base. The incident highlights the continuing threat posed by armed groups across several parts of northern Nigeria.
The successful rescue of more than 300 abducted people offers hope to affected families and demonstrates the impact of coordinated intelligence driven operations. However, with kidnapping and extremist violence still affecting many communities, security experts say sustained military pressure, stronger intelligence gathering, and improved protection for vulnerable areas will be essential to achieving long term stability.
