Nigerian security forces have rescued more than 300 people abducted by Islamic militants in what President Bola Tinubu said was his country’s largest ever single-day rescue operation.
“The successful execution of this intelligence-led operation demonstrates the growing efficiency and collaboration among our security services,” Tinubu said. “I commend our gallant men and women in uniform for their bravery and unwavering commitment to safeguarding Nigerian lives.”
Two separate attacks
The rescued Nigerians had been abducted during two separate attacks earlier this year in Kwara State among the Woro and Nuku communities and one in Niger State. During the Kwara attack in February, 163 people were abducted and more than 160 were killed. Officials said it was one of the nation’s deadliest attacks in recent years. The 145 other victims were mostly abducted during attacks on rural communities in Niger State in the same month.
The Associated Press spoke to individuals saved in the recent rescue, including 30-year-old Hauwa Saliu, reportedly a local from Woro. She said militants slaughtered her husband in the attack, and that the captors repeatedly asked the abductees if they had accepted their jihadist preachings. Saliu said she refused.
“We prayed to God to help us go back home, but it never really crossed our minds that we were going to go back home,” Saliu said.
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EDITOR’S NOTE — This story was written by Hannah Davis and originally published by Decision Magazine. Used with permission.
