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Nigerian Forces Rescue 360 Hostages From Boko Haram Hideout

It signals growing pressure on militants in the Mandara mountains ahead of Nigeria's January presidential vote.

Overview

  • The joint task force carried out an intelligence-led raid that freed 360 men, women and children on Sunday, June 7, in the Mandara mountains of southern Borno state.
  • Those held were detained by Jama'atu Ahlis Sunna Lidda'awati wal-Jihad (JAS), the main Boko Haram faction, and were taken from several local communities over an unspecified period.
  • The military said special forces forced JAS fighters to abandon positions and that some militants fled or surrendered, though officials did not detail arrests.
  • Two children died in captivity from exhaustion and harsh conditions and the rescued people were moved to safe locations for medical care and humanitarian support.
  • The operation is a tactical success in a long-running conflict in Borno but underscores persistent kidnapping networks, ransom payments and insecurity that could shape voters' concerns before January.