Nigerian forces rescue 308 abductees in Kainji Lake operation
A joint Nigerian security operation freed 308 people held in forests around Kainji Lake National Park, including victims abducted from Kwara and Niger states.
In short
- A joint Nigerian security operation freed 308 people held in forests around Kainji Lake National Park, including victims abducted from Kwara and Niger states.
Nigerian security forces have rescued 308 abducted people from forests around Kainji Lake National Park in a joint operation announced on Wednesday, August 5, 2026.
The operation involved the military, police and counter-terrorism units. Officials said 163 of those freed had been abducted during a deadly February attack on Woro village in Kwara State, while another 145 were taken mainly from neighbouring Niger State.
The survivors were taken to an army facility for medical assessments before planned reunions with their families. President Bola Ahmed Tinubu described the mission as the largest recovery of hostages in a single day in Nigeria’s history and credited improved coordination among the security services.
The rescue comes as kidnapping for ransom remains a persistent security threat in northern Nigeria. Armed groups, including criminal gangs and jihadist organisations, use large forested areas as bases and holding sites for captives.
Data cited by The Guardian from Lagos-based consultancy SBM Intelligence recorded at least 4,722 abductions in 997 reported incidents between July 2024 and June 2025. The consultancy said at least 762 people died in those incidents. The latest operation follows the July rescue of at least 40 students and teachers abducted from a school in Oyo State.
