In a coordinated operation across Nigeria’s northeastern borderlands, Nigerian armed forces have liberated more than 400 captives from a Boko Haram encampment. The raid, which took place in the Sambisa Forest region, marks one of the largest single rescues in the decade-long insurgency. British special forces, operating in a non-combat advisory capacity, provided tactical intelligence and satellite reconnaissance that enabled the assault, according to defence officials in London.
The operation was conducted under the auspices of the Multinational Joint Task Force, with contributions from Cameroon and Chad. The rescued individuals, predominantly women and children, are being processed at a displacement camp in Maiduguri. Psychological and medical support is being provided by the International Committee of the Red Cross.
The British government emphasised that its personnel did not engage directly in hostilities, adhering to a strict mandate of training and intelligence support. This development comes as the Nigerian military intensifies operations against Boko Haram factions, following a resurgence of attacks in the Lake Chad Basin. The United Nations has expressed cautious optimism, noting that sustained civilian protection remains contingent on addressing the underlying drivers of extremism in the region.
