Over 300 Kidnapped Nigerians Freed by Security Forces
WHO:
Al Jazeera - The Kwara government expressed gratitude in a social media post, stating, “Kudos to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu GCFR, security forces, and everyone who played a role in this huge feat. We are grateful!”
Al Jazeera - President Bola Ahmed Tinubu welcomed the successful rescue of 308 Nigerian citizens.
Al Jazeera - Bayo Onanuga is a special adviser to Nigeria’s president.
BBC News - Nigerian security forces were involved in the rescue operation.
WHAT:
Al Jazeera - The operation was described as the largest single-day rescue operation by Nigeria’s joint security forces.
Al Jazeera - More than 300 people who had been kidnapped across Nigeria were freed in an intelligence and security operation.
Al Jazeera - A total of 308 Nigerian citizens were rescued.
Al Jazeera - 163 of those rescued were abducted from the Woro Community in Kaiama Local Government Area in Kwara State.
Al Jazeera - 145 individuals were taken from Niger State.
Al Jazeera - The operation was described as the largest rescue operation ever carried out on the same day by Nigeria’s joint security team.
WHERE:
Al Jazeera - The victims were rescued from the Kainji Lake National Park Forest in New Bussa Local Government Area of Niger State.
Al Jazeera - The abductions occurred in Niger and Kwara states.
WHEN:
Al Jazeera - The abductions in Kwara State occurred during an attack on local communities on February 3.
Al Jazeera - At least 200 people were killed in the February 3 attack.
WHY:
Al Jazeera - Kidnapping for ransom by armed groups and bandits has become a major crisis in Nigeria.
HOW:
Al Jazeera - President Tinubu commended the security services for their “bravery and unwavering commitment to safeguarding Nigerian lives” following the successful execution of the operation.
Al Jazeera - The operation was carried out by the country’s National Counter Terrorism Centre, involving members of the armed forces, the police force, and the Department of State Services.
Al Jazeera - The rescue was described as a “coordinated, intelligence-driven operation.”
(UPDATED August 6, 2026 13:35 UTC)
The Kwara government has expressed gratitude for a significant achievement, thanking President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, security forces, and all involved in what has been described as Nigeria’s largest single-day rescue operation. Following this successful mission, President Tinubu praised the security services for their bravery and unwavering commitment to safeguarding Nigerian lives. This operation marks a notable milestone in the efforts to enhance security and protect citizens in the region.
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(UPDATED August 6, 2026 11:25 UTC)
President Tinubu has welcomed the successful rescue of 308 Nigerian citizens, marking it as the largest operation of its kind conducted by the country’s joint security team. The victims were freed from the Kainji Lake National Park Forest in Niger State, with 163 individuals abducted from the Woro Community in Kwara State and 145 taken from Niger State. This coordinated, intelligence-driven operation involved the National Counter Terrorism Centre, armed forces, police, and the Department of State Services, addressing the ongoing crisis of kidnapping for ransom by armed groups and bandits in Nigeria.