The Nigerian army has successfully rescued 350 hostages, mostly women and children, from the extremist group Boko Haram. The operation took place in the Sambisa Forest, a notorious hideout for the insurgents in northeastern Nigeria.
During the days-long military operation, Nigerian forces managed to free 209 children, 135 women, and six men who had been held captive for months or even years. Major General Ken Chigbu presented the freed hostages to authorities in Borno state, where the Sambisa Forest is located. The hostages, appearing exhausted and in worn-out clothes, included several girls with babies likely born from forced marriages or rapes by the militants.
Many hostages were unable to flee due to the fear of repercussions and the responsibility of protecting their children.
The Nigerian army reported killing some extremists and destroying their makeshift houses during the operation. The rescued hostages were transported to the Borno state government house, where they will receive care until they can return home.
Boko Haram, a jihadist group, launched its insurgency in 2009 with the aim of establishing Islamic Shariah law in Nigeria. The group’s violent campaign has resulted in the deaths of at least 35,000 people and the displacement of 2.1 million, according to U.N. agencies in Nigeria. The group gained international infamy following the 2014 abduction of 276 schoolgirls from Chibok, which highlighted the scale of their operations and the severity of their threat.
Boko Haram’s insurgency has led to widespread instability in northeastern Nigeria and neighboring regions. The group and its factions continue to launch attacks, causing significant civilian casualties and displacement.
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