Atiku commends troops over rescue of 360 hostages in Borno, urges expanded efforts to free others
Former presidential candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Atiku Abubakar, has praised the Nigerian military for the successful rescue of 360 abducted persons in Borno State, while calling on authorities to intensify operations aimed at securing the release of other citizens still held by kidnappers and insurgents.
The victims were rescued in a major operation conducted by troops of Operation HADIN KAI, who stormed the Mandara Mountains, a known hideout used by terrorists in the southern part of Borno State.
The abductees had been taken during an earlier attack on Ngoshe in Borno State by insurgents linked to Boko Haram. During the assault, the attackers reportedly overran a military position, destroyed vehicles, killed several people, and abducted residents before retreating into the mountainous terrain.
Reacting in a statement posted on his X account, Atiku described the rescue as a major relief for the victims and their families, many of whom had endured months of uncertainty since the March incident.
READ ALSO: Troops rescue 360 abducted children, women from Borno mountains
He commended the armed forces and other security agencies involved in the operation, noting that their coordinated efforts made the mass rescue possible. He also expressed confidence that Nigeria’s military could defeat insurgency if properly equipped and supported with strong political leadership.
Atiku further urged the government to sustain efforts to rescue other abducted Nigerians, including schoolchildren and teachers reportedly kidnapped in Oriire in Oriire and in Mussa in Mussa, stressing that many families are still awaiting the return of their loved ones.
While welcoming the development, he also called for reforms in Nigeria’s security structure, emphasizing intelligence-led operations, advanced technology deployment, and proactive measures capable of preventing attacks before they occur.
READ ALSO: Kidnapper falls through ceiling during dramatic rescue of Adelabu’s sister, twin sons
Military authorities described the rescue in Borno as one of the most significant hostage recovery operations in the North-East in recent times, adding that it followed weeks of intelligence gathering, surveillance, and coordinated planning that enabled troops to locate and safely extract the captives from terrorist enclaves in the Mandara Mountains.
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