Anietie Udobit, Abuja
Nigeria’s ongoing battle against insurgency recorded a significant breakthrough this week as troops of the Nigerian Army rescued 360 women and children from a notorious Boko Haram enclave hidden deep within the rugged Mandara Mountains along the Nigeria-Cameroon border.
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Military authorities described the operation as one of the largest humanitarian rescue missions conducted in recent months, highlighting both the successes and continuing human costs of the country’s counter-insurgency campaign.
According to Defence Headquarters sources, the rescued civilians had been held in captivity under harsh conditions, with many reportedly suffering from malnutrition, trauma, and prolonged deprivation. The operation involved coordinated ground assaults, aerial surveillance, and intelligence-driven raids aimed at dismantling insurgent hideouts scattered across the mountainous terrain.
However, amid the celebration of the rescue came tragedy. Military officials confirmed that two infants died during the evacuation process due to severe health complications linked to prolonged captivity and poor living conditions.
The Mandara Mountains have remained one of Boko Haram’s most difficult operational bases for security forces because of their challenging geography and proximity to international borders. Security analysts say the area has served as a strategic refuge for insurgents fleeing military offensives elsewhere in the North-East.
The rescued victims are currently receiving medical attention, psychological support, and humanitarian assistance through collaboration between federal agencies, international partners, and non-governmental organizations.
Security experts argue that while military victories are important, the long-term challenge remains rehabilitation, reintegration, and rebuilding communities devastated by more than a decade of insurgency.
For many of the survivors, freedom marks the beginning of a difficult journey toward recovery and rebuilding lives interrupted by violence.
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