The major rescue operation unfolded in the Mandara mountains, a known Boko Haram hotspot, where hundreds of people were being held "under harsh conditions," according to a military statement released on Sunday.

The operation was tarnished by tragedy, as two infants “succumbed to exhaustion occasioned by the extremely challenging mountainous terrain” and the conditions they endured during captivity, army spokesperson Haruna Sani said.

“The remaining rescued abductees were successfully evacuated to safe locations for medical care and humanitarian support, marking a major operational success and a significant setback for the terrorist group,” Sani added.

The military revealed that troops gathered critical intelligence and used “psychological operations” to sow “mistrust within the insurgent ranks” before “the commencement of the assault phase”.

Faced with the military push, several Boko Haram fighters fled into the surrounding mountains, while others surrendered. The army has not yet confirmed if any arrests were made during the operation.

While the military reported 360 people freed, a local youth leader and a Borno senator told the AFP news agency on Saturday that the rescued group actually included more than 400 people.

Prior to the military intervention, Boko Haram had demanded millions of Nigerian naira in ransom for the freedom of the captives.

Borno state remains the epicenter of Nigeria's northeastern security crisis. The conflict accelerated in 2009 when Boko Haram launched its violent campaign, which has since killed tens of thousands of people and displaced at least two million.

Kidnappings have become a lucrative tool for the insurgents.

According to the Lagos-based consultancy SBM Intelligence, Boko Haram raised approximately $1.66m in ransom payments between July 2024 and June 2025 alone.

In response to the ongoing threat, the Nigerian military has intensified its campaign against Boko Haram and its breakaway faction, the ISIL affiliate in West Africa Province (ISWAP).

This rescue follows a string of recent military victories. Last month, a joint operation between Nigeria and the United States killed 175 ISWAP fighters. Additionally, in mid-May, the Nigerian and US presidents announced the killing of Abu-Bilal al-Minuki, who was identified as ISIL’s second-in-command.