Nigerian army frees 360 abducted people in its northeastern Borno state

The Nigerian army said today it had freed 360 people kidnapped by the Boko Haram militant group in Borno state, in the northeastern part of the country.

According to a statement from the military, the operation was carried out in the Mandara Mountains, which form part of the militant group's stronghold. It resulted in the release of several people, including children, who had been abducted in different communities in Borno State.

Two of the children died of exhaustion due to the challenging mountainous terrain and the hardships they endured while being abducted, an army spokesman said.

"The remaining rescued abductees were successfully evacuated to safe locations where they were provided with medical care and humanitarian support, marking a major operational success and a significant blow to the terrorist group," the spokesman said.

Nigeria faces a complex security crisis, particularly in the north, where an insurgency that has lasted for more than a decade, as well as the activities of armed groups carrying out kidnapping for ransom and illegal mining, have increased the country's security challenges.

Among the most prominent Islamist militant groups is Boko Haram and its breakaway factions affiliated with the Islamic State, known as the Islamic State in West Africa Province.

Last month, the West African country said it had joined forces with the US and killed 175 fighters from the militant group.

The insurgency in northeastern Nigeria has killed thousands and displaced millions, according to the United Nations. Analysts say the government is not doing enough to protect its citizens despite repeated promises by President Bole Tinubu to curb the crisis.