Nigerian military forces have transferred more than 400 women and children to local authorities after their release from captivity. These individuals were rescued from Boko Haram jihadists earlier this year in Borno State, located in Nigeria’s volatile northeast region.

Since the insurgency began in 2009, first under Boko Haram and later under its splinter faction, the Islamic State’s West Africa Province (ISWAP), the conflict has claimed tens of thousands of lives and displaced millions across the country’s most populous nation.

Mass abductions, often followed by ransom demands, have become a hallmark of the militants’ operations. Military officials confirmed Sunday that approximately 360 individuals were freed over the weekend—not through negotiations with Boko Haram, but through a “precision operation” conducted by Nigerian armed forces using “intelligence-driven” tactics.

Borno State Governor Babagana Umara Zulum revealed an additional 82 people were liberated “two to three weeks ago,” bringing the total number of rescued hostages to around 434. The victims were abducted from Ngoshe, a village less than 10 kilometers from the Cameroonian border in the Gwoza hills—a stronghold of Boko Haram activity that has endured repeated attacks.

“We thank Allah, the Almighty, for this rescue,” said Hassana Buba, 43, one of the freed women, speaking to reporters at the Pulka displaced persons camp where the former captives were handed over. “We are deeply grateful and celebrating this moment,” she added.

While authorities deny paying ransoms—despite persistent reports suggesting otherwise—analysts estimate such payments are commonplace, involving both government entities and victims’ families. A recent report by SBM Intelligence, a Lagos-based consultancy firm, revealed that between July 2024 and June 2025, approximately $1.66 million in ransoms was paid to various armed groups in Nigeria, including jihadists, “bandits,” and separatist factions.