Nigerian Army Rescues 360 Boko Haram Captives

According to the Nigerian army, 360 individuals who were kidnapped earlier this year in the northeast of the country by the armed group Boko Haram have been freed.

The military stated in a statement on Sunday that the rescue effort took place in a Boko Haram stronghold in Borno State's southern region.

Hundreds of people were being held "under harsh conditions" by Boko Haram extremists in the Mandara mountains when forces arrived.

According to the army spokesperson, Haruna Sani, two infants "succumbed to exhaustion occasioned by the extremely challenging mountainous terrain" and the conditions they faced while in captivity.

“The remaining rescued abductees were successfully evacuated to safe locations for medical care and humanitarian support, marking a major operational success and a significant setback for the terrorist group,” Sani added.

According to the military statement, prior to "the commencement of the assault phase," troops had acquired intelligence and employed "psychological operations" to create "mistrust within the insurgent ranks."

While other Boko Haram fighters turned themselves in, some fled into the nearby mountains, the army did not disclose if it had made any arrests.

The release was confirmed to the AFP news agency on Saturday by a Borno senator and local youth leader, who added that the gang consisted of about 400 individuals.

Boko Haram had initially wanted a ransom of millions of Nigerian naira for the detainees.