Nigerian security forces have rescued 308 people abducted in separate attacks in northern Niger and Kwara states. President Bola Ahmed Tinubu hailed the achievement as the largest single-day hostage recovery operation in the country's history.
The release followed a joint operation conducted by the military, police, and counter-terrorism units. Victims were freed from the dense forests of the Kainji Lake national park in the north-central region, including 163 villagers who had been seized during a deadly attack earlier this year.
This operation takes place as Nigeria battles a major crisis of kidnapping for ransom by armed groups and bandits. The president hailed the successful rescue as the country continues to struggle with worsening insecurity.