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Nigerian troops say they have rescued 62 hostages and killed two militants in separate security operations in Kebbi and Zamfara states as the military intensifies its offensive against armed groups operating in the country’s northwest.
Army spokesperson Lieutenant Colonel Olaniyi Osoba said on Wednesday that troops raided a known bandit hideout in Zamfara State after receiving intelligence that several captives were being held there, according to Reuters.
“All 62 hostages were successfully rescued and are currently in safe custody,” Osoba said, adding that arrangements were underway to reunite them with their families,” reports the BBC.
In a separate operation, troops ambushed Lakurawa militants near the border between Kebbi State’s Augie district and neighbouring Sokoto State after acting on intelligence about the group’s movements.
Two militants were killed during the encounter, the army said.
The operations come as Nigeria faces renewed international scrutiny over insecurity in the northwest.
Read More: More than 160 churchgoers reportedly kidnapped in twin Nigeria attacks
U.S. President Donald Trump recently accused the country of failing to protect Christians from Islamist militants operating in the region.
On Christmas Day, U.S. forces carried out air strikes against Islamic State targets in northwest Nigeria.
The Nigerian government has rejected claims of religious persecution, insisting that its security forces are targeting Islamist fighters and criminal gangs that attack both Christian and Muslim civilians.
The army said the latest operations form part of broader efforts to dismantle armed networks responsible for kidnappings, killings and widespread insecurity across the region.
Military authorities said operations against bandit groups and extremist factions would continue until the area is fully stabilised.
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