Nigeria rescues 163 jihadi captives

On August 7, 2026, Nigerian security forces freed 163 captives, mostly women and children, who had been held for six months by jihadi militants after an attack on the village of Woro in Nigeria — Kwara State on February 3, 2026. The attack killed over 160 people. The rescue, part of a larger operation that freed over 300 victims, was described by President Bola Tinubu as the 'largest rescue operation ever' on a single day. The freed captives were taken to Ilorin for medical care, with many showing signs of malnutrition and trauma. The incident highlights the growing threat of militant groups moving south from northern Nigeria, and the challenges faced by the country's security forces. The United States provides military support to Nigeria under an agreement aimed at protecting Christians, though it is limited to logistics and intelligence. President Tinubu has announced pay rises and mass recruitment for the military to address welfare issues. The rescue operation took place in the Nigeria — Kainji National Park, and local authorities did not disclose details of the operation.