Nigerian authorities announced yesterday the successful rescue of at least 76 hostages, including children, following targeted airstrikes on armed groups in the northwestern region of the country.
Nasir Mu’az, the Commissioner for Internal Security in Katsina State, stated that the air operations took place early Saturday against targets in the vicinity of Bawa Hill in the Kankara area, as part of a mission to apprehend a notorious kidnapper.
The Commissioner noted that among those rescued were individuals who had been taken during an assault on a mosque in the Ongwan Manta area, an attack that resulted in the deaths of at least 50 people. He added, “Regrettably, we lost one child during the operation.”
In recent months, attacks on populated areas in northwestern and north-central Nigeria have intensified, regions that have seen recurring conflicts among farmers due to competition for land and scarce water resources. Last month, an attack in the north-central region resulted in the deaths of 150 individuals.
The violence has escalated in recent years, with officials and analysts warning that more herders are now equipped with advanced weapons. The Commissioner explained that the airstrikes are part of a broader strategy to dismantle criminal hideouts, weaken their networks, and put an end to the cycle of murder, kidnapping, and extortion that has plagued innocent citizens.
Nigeria also faces an armed insurgency in its northeastern region, which, according to the United Nations, has resulted in the deaths of around 35,000 civilians and the displacement of over two million people.