Nigeria security forces rescue 308 kidnapped citizens in largest single-day operation

Aug 5, 2026

Nigerian security forces have rescued 308 abducted citizens from the Kainji Lake National Park Forest in the country's largest single-day recovery operation. The joint mission, praised by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, freed 163 survivors of a brutal February attack on Woro village and 145 others from Niger State. The operation highlights a rare success for Nigeria's security agencies, which are battling a pervasive kidnapping crisis that saw over 4,700 people abducted and millions of dollars paid in ransoms over a recent 12-month period.

Kainji Lake rescue operation

▪The 308 rescued survivors were taken to a military installation to receive medical evaluations before being reunited with their families.
▪The rescued individuals included 163 people abducted from the Woro community in Kwara State and 145 people taken primarily from Niger State.
▪Nigerian security forces rescued 308 abducted citizens from the Kainji Lake National Park Forest in Niger State during a coordinated, intelligence-driven operation.

Kidnapping crisis in Nigeria

▪Kidnappings in Nigeria raised approximately $1.66 million in ransom payments between July 2024 and June 2025, according to a tally by Lagos-based consultancy SBM Intelligence.
▪Security services in Nigeria freed at least 40 students and teachers in July 2026 who had been kidnapped in May 2026 from a school in Oyo State.
▪SBM Intelligence reported that 4,722 people were kidnapped across 997 incidents in Nigeria between July 2024 and June 2025, resulting in at least 762 deaths.

February Woro village attack

▪The February 2026 attack on Woro occurred after armed jihadists sent a letter announcing their intention to preach, but no residents attended the gathering.
▪Suspected jihadists attacked the village of Woro in Kwara State in February 2026, killing over 150 people and abducting approximately 163 residents.
▪Amnesty International reported that many victims of the February 2026 Woro attack were found with their hands and feet tied, having had their throats slit or being shot dead.

Presidential response to rescue

▪President Bola Ahmed Tinubu stated that the successful execution of the intelligence-led operation demonstrated the growing efficiency and collaboration among Nigerian security services.
▪President Bola Ahmed Tinubu welcomed the rescue of the 308 citizens, hailing it as the largest single-day hostage recovery operation in Nigeria's history.

Security forces coordination

▪The Nigerian presidency recently announced a salary increase of 30% to 80% for thousands of soldiers to support an army handling concurrent domestic insurgencies.
▪The joint rescue operation involved the National Counter-Terrorism Centre, the Nigerian military, the police force, and the Department of State Services intelligence agency.