Nigerian security forces have freed 308 hostages held in captivity for six months by jihadi militants, marking the country’s largest rescue operation in recent history. The operation, conducted in Kwara State, included the liberation of 163 individuals abducted from the village of Woro on February 3, during which militants killed over 160 people.
The freed captives, predominantly women and children, were handed over to authorities in Ilorin, Kwara State’s capital, on Friday for medical evaluation and routine checks. Many were in critical condition, with reports of emaciation, injuries, and severe emotional distress. Some victims recounted being forced to bury fellow hostages who died in captivity, while others described days without food and exposure to harsh weather conditions in forest hideouts.
Conditions in Captivity
Victims provided harrowing accounts of their ordeal, including forced labor, starvation, and constant fear of violence. Mary Ishaya, 44, a freed captive, stated: “I still cannot find the right words to describe what has happened to us. We saw death and suffering.” She described burying other hostages and going days without food. Amira Saliu, a nurse among the rescued, recounted assisting in the births of 10 babies under extreme conditions, using only her bare hands due to a lack of medical supplies.
The hostages were held in a forest near a river, where they were reportedly forced to extinguish fires and hide whenever Nigerian military helicopters flew overhead. Some captives alleged they were targeted for refusing to accept the militants’ religious preachings, while others were repeatedly asked if they had accepted jihad.
Official Response and Support
Nigerian officials described the operation as the country’s largest rescue effort in recent years. Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRasaq of Kwara State confirmed the handover of the freed individuals to medical facilities for treatment. The United States has provided military support to Nigeria, including logistics and intelligence-gathering, under an agreement aimed at protecting Nigerian Christians, though specifics of the aid remain restricted.
Broader Context
The abductions and killings in Woro occurred during a broader pattern of violence attributed to jihadi groups in the region. Locals in Woro suggested the attacks were a form of punishment for resisting the militants’ demands. The rescued hostages are now undergoing medical and psychological evaluations as they await reunification with their families.