The Nigerian Army announced on Sunday that it had liberated 360 people held by Boko Haram in the Mandara Mountains of Borno State, northeatern Nigeria. while the operation is hailed as a significant blow to the insurgents, two infants succumbed to exhaustion during the rescue, underscoring the harsh conditinos of captivity.

360 Hostages Freed in Mandara Mountains Rescue

According to army spokesperson Haruna Sani, troops entered the rugged Mandara range—long considered a Boko Haram stronghold—and secured the release of the captives, many of whom were children abducted from villages across Borno. The rescued individuals were immediately moved to secure sites where they are receiving medical care and humanitarian assistance.

Two Infants Died from Exhaustion, Army Says

Sani reported that two infants did not survive the ordeal, citing the extreme altitude and prolonged deprivation as contributing factors. the deaths highlight the brutal reality of prolonged abductions, where even the youngest victims face life‑threatening conditions .

Operation Mirrors Recent Joint Strike Against ISWAP

Just weeks earlier, Nigerian forces, in coordination with U.S. partners, claimed to have killed 175 fighters from the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP), a Boko Haram offshoot. the Mandara rescue follows that offensive, suggesting a coordinated push to dismantle militant networks in the northeast.

Security Crisis in Nigeria’s North Remains Multifaceted

Security analysts note that the insurgency, now over a decade old, coexists with criminal gangs involved in ransom kidnappings and illegal mining. The United Nations estimates millions have been displaced by the conflict, and the death toll continues to rise despite President Bola Tinubu’s pledges to intensify counter‑insurgency efforts.

Who Remains Unaccounted for After the Rescue?

While 360 individuals were freed, the army has not disclosed how many remain in captivity across the region. Additionally, the exact number of militants neutralized during the Mandara operation has not been released, leaving open questions about the broader impact on Boko Haram’s operational capacity.

As the rescued hostages receive care, humanitarian groups are urging the government to accelerate long‑term support for survivors, many of whom bear physical and psychological scars from months of captivity.