Nigerian security forces have rescued 62 kidnapped civilians and killed two militants during coordinated military operations in the country’s northwest, the army said Wednesday, as authorities intensify efforts to curb mass abductions in the region.
The latest actions unfolded across Kebbi and Zamfara states, part of a broader offensive targeting armed groups blamed for widespread kidnappings and attacks on rural communities.
The rescues highlight mounting pressure on criminal networks operating from forest hideouts, which have increasingly destabilized northwestern Nigeria.
According to army spokesperson Lt. Col. Olaniyi Osoba, troops raided a known bandit camp in Zamfara State after receiving intelligence that hostages were being held there.
“All 62 captives were safely recovered and are now in secure custody,” Osoba said, adding that arrangements are underway to reunite them with their families.
Northwest Nigeria has seen a surge in large-scale kidnappings, with armed groups attacking villages, schools, and religious sites. In one of the most recent incidents, more than 160 worshippers were abducted from two churches in Kaduna on January 18, according to local officials.
In a separate operation, Nigerian troops ambushed militants belonging to the Lakurawa group near the border between Kebbi’s Augie district and neighboring Sokoto State, the army said.
The operation followed intelligence reports tracking the group’s movements across the border area. Two militants were killed in the clash, Osoba confirmed.
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The military said both missions are part of a sustained campaign to dismantle armed networks responsible for kidnappings and rising insecurity across the northwest.
Nigeria’s security efforts have recently drawn international attention. U.S. President Donald Trump has accused Nigeria of failing to adequately protect Christians from Islamist militants operating in the northwest.
In December, U.S. forces carried out airstrikes against Islamic State-linked targets in the region on Christmas Day, according to U.S. officials.
The Nigerian government has rejected claims of religious persecution, insisting that its military operations target armed groups attacking civilians, regardless of faith.
Military officials say operations will continue as part of a long-term strategy to restore stability in affected states and disrupt the criminal supply chains fueling mass abductions.