Africa-Press. The Nigerian army announced the release of 62 hostages and the killing of two militants in separate operations in Kebbi and Zamfara states, as part of an ongoing offensive against armed groups in the northwest of the country.
Northwestern Nigeria has seen a rise in mass kidnappings carried out by armed gangs operating from forest hideouts. These groups have attacked villages, schools, and places of worship, including the kidnapping of over 160 worshippers from two churches in Kaduna on January 18.
Army spokesperson Commander Olaniyi Osoba stated that forces stormed a well-known gang hideout in Zamfara after receiving reports of hostages being held there. The army confirmed that all 62 hostages had been rescued and are now safe, with efforts underway to reunite them with their families.
In a separate operation, forces ambushed Lakurawa militants near the border between Oji district in Kebbi State and neighboring Sokoto State, after receiving intelligence on the group’s movements, Osoba said.
Nigeria has faced criticism from U.S. President Donald Trump, who accused it of failing to protect Christians from active militants in the northwest.
U.S. forces have conducted airstrikes against Islamic State targets in northwestern Nigeria. The Nigerian government denies any systematic persecution of Christians, asserting that it targets fighters and other armed groups attacking both Christian and Muslim civilians.
The army added that these operations are part of broader efforts to dismantle armed networks responsible for large-scale kidnappings and insecurity across the region.
Separately, security sources reported on Wednesday that at least eight Nigerian soldiers were killed and fifty others injured in an attack by Boko Haram militants on a military site in Borno State.
