Nigerian Army Rescues 13 Hostages from Extremist Group

Nigerian troops successfully rescued 13 hostages kidnapped by an extremist group in Kaduna state, Arab News reported yesterday citing an army announcement.

The operation resulted in several kidnappers being killed and others captured, although the specific group responsible for the abduction was not disclosed.

The rescued individuals were taken to a military facility for medical assessments before being reunited with their families. During the operation, security forces also seized weapons, ammunition, solar panels, and cash.

Kidnappings have become increasingly common in northern Nigeria, where numerous armed groups exploit limited security to attack villages and major roads. Most victims are often released only after hefty ransom payments, sometimes amounting to thousands of dollars. Since the notorious 2014 abduction of 276 schoolgirls by Boko Haram in Chibok, over 1,400 students have been kidnapped from schools across the country.

Boko Haram, which began its insurgency in 2009, aims to impose Islamic Sharia law in Nigeria. The ongoing violence has led to the deaths of at least 35,000 people and displaced approximately 2.1 million, according to United Nations reports.