Nigerian troops free dozens of kidnap victims in fresh wave of rescue operations
A run of military operations across Borno, Plateau and the north-central states has freed scores of abducted civilians, as the army leans on hybrid forces and local vigilantes to reach victims faster.
Ezinne Princess Nwabueze
Reporter, Diaspora Homeland Nigeria
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Nigerian security forces have recorded a string of rescues in June 2026, freeing dozens of kidnapped civilians in coordinated operations stretching from the north-east to the north-central belt.
In the largest single operation, troops under Operation Hadin Kai said they rescued 92 abducted civilians in Borno State and foiled an improvised explosive device ambush, while soldiers under Operation Enduring Peace freed eight victims from a forest hideout in Plateau State.
Elsewhere, a brigade-led push - backed by hybrid forces and community vigilantes - recovered a group of passengers seized on a rural road, with the army saying the attackers fled as troops closed in.
Kidnapping for ransom and attacks by armed groups have plagued several Nigerian states for years, displacing families and disrupting travel, farming and schooling across affected communities.
For diaspora families watching from abroad, each rescue brings relief but also anxiety about loved ones back home. DCTV will keep following the security picture and what it means for those weighing a return.
