Nigerian forces rescue 308 kidnap victims, presidency says

Nigerian security forces have rescued 308 people abducted in separate attacks in northern ​Niger and Kwara states, in what President Bola ‌Tinubu described as the largest same-day rescue operation carried out by a joint security team.

The presidency said in a statement ​late on Wednesday that 163 of those rescued ​had been abducted from the Woro community in Kwara's ⁠Kaiama district and another 145 from the neighbouring Niger ​state.

The victims in Kwara had been in captivity since ​February after gunmen attacked their community and killed at least 170 others in one of the most deadly attacks by gunmen this ​year.

All the victims were freed from the Kainji Lake ​National Park forest in Niger state following an operation involving the ‌armed ⁠forces, intelligence agency and police, the statement added.

The presidency did not say whether any suspects were apprehended during the operation.

Nigeria is struggling to curb kidnappings and ​armed attacks that ​have plagued ⁠parts of the country for years, undermining security, disrupting livelihoods and raising pressure on ​the government of Tinubu, who is seeking ​re-election ⁠for a second and final term in January.

Tinubu on Tuesday approved pay rises of up to 80% for members ⁠of ​the armed forces, part of efforts ​to boost the morale and welfare of troops at the forefront of ​fighting insecurity.

(Cover: Nigerian President Bola Tinubu speaks to the media in London, March 19, 2026. /VCG)