Military handover of rescued civilians in Borno
On Monday, the Nigerian military officially transferred custody of more than 400 women and children to regional officials. These individuals were recently liberated from the clutches of the Boko Haram extremist group in the northeastern state of Borno.
Since 2009, a persistent insurgency led by Boko Haram and its offshoot, the Islamic State West Africa Province (Iswap), has devastated the region. This conflict has resulted in tens of thousands of deaths and the displacement of millions across Nigeria, Africa’s most populous country. Mass kidnappings followed by ransom demands have become a signature tactic used by these militant factions.
Details of the intelligence-led rescue mission
Military leadership confirmed that the majority of the survivors—roughly 360 people—were saved over the weekend during a specialized operation driven by strategic intelligence. Governor Babagana Umara Zulum of Borno State added that an additional 82 individuals had been recovered approximately two to three weeks earlier. This brings the confirmed total of rescued former captives to around 434.
The victims had been seized from Ngoshe, a village located less than 10 kilometers from the border with Cameroun. Nestled in the Gwoza hills, a known stronghold for Boko Haram, the community has been a frequent target of jihadist raids.
One of the survivors, 43-year-old Hassana Buba, shared her relief at the Pulka displacement camp during the handover ceremony. She expressed deep gratitude for the rescue, noting that she and the other women were celebrating their return to safety.
The ongoing challenge of ransom payments
The government continues to deny any involvement in paying ransoms, despite assertions from security analysts that the practice is common among both the state and private citizens. Data from SBM Intelligence indicates that various armed groups in Nigeria—ranging from jihadists to bandits and separatists—collected approximately $1.66 million in ransom payments between July 2024 and June 2025.