Nigerian security forces have rescued more than 300 abducted people in what the president, Bola Ahmed Tinubu, hailed as the largest single-day hostage recovery in the country’s history.

The release was announced on Wednesday after a joint operation, conducted by the military, police and counter-terrorism units, freed victims held captive in the dense forests of the Kainji Lake national park in the north-central region.

Among those who regained freedom were 163 people abducted in February during a deadly raid on the village of Woro in Kwara state, and 145 others seized primarily from the neighbouring Niger state. Both states are flanked to the west by Benin, where militant attacks have been surging in recent times. Officials confirmed the survivors are receiving medical evaluations at an army installation before being reunited with their families.

“The successful execution of this intelligence-led operation demonstrates the growing efficiency and collaboration among our security services,” Tinubu said in a statement on the presidency’s website.

“I commend our gallant men and women in uniform for their bravery and unwavering commitment to safeguarding Nigerian lives.”

The government spokesperson Bayo Onanuga said the rescue operation was part of the president’s resolve to “restore lasting peace across every corner of the nation”.

In the last decade, kidnapping for ransom has become endemic in Africa’s most populous country, especially in the north where different armed groups including bandit gangs and jihadists roam large unoccupied forests and shrublands.

Between July 2024 and June 2025, at least 4,722 people were kidnapped across 997 reported incidents, leading to at least 762 deaths, according to a report by the Lagos-based geopolitical advisory SBM Intelligence. In that 12-month period, abductors demanded ₦48bn ($35m or £26m) in payments, with families and communities ultimately handing over at least ₦2.57bn in ransom to secure the release of their loved ones.

Ahead of January’s presidential election in which Tinubu is seeking a second four-year term, the government has been ramping up reforms and rescue operations as insecurity worsens.

The latest rescue was announced in the same week the army declared the governor of Islamic State West Africa Province, Abu Musa al-Mangawi Baa Shuwa, and his deputy, Amirul Jaish Muhammad Jidda, wanted. The duo run the Islamic State-affiliated Boko Haram offshoot operating primarily around the Lake Chad basin, which straddles Cameroon, Chad, Niger and Nigeria.

In July, security services freed at least 40 students and teachers who had been kidnapped in May from a school in Oyo in south-western Nigeria.

Last week, the presidency announced a salary increase worth 30% to 80% for thousands of soldiers, the largest hike in years for an army once seen as one of the continent’s most powerful but now derided as underfunded and unequipped to handle concurrent insurgencies across Nigerian territory.

The Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), George Akume, has said the Federal Government will continue to build stronger partnerships with Catholic Bishops and other stakeholders in a bid to address Nigeria’s challenges.

In a statement on Wednesday, Yomi Odunuga, the Special Adviser, Media and Publicity to Akume, quoted the SGF as saying that the administration of President Bola Tinubu would continue to deepen consultations with the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Nigeria (CBCN), other faith-based organisations and relevant stakeholders on issues affecting the country.

“Many of the challenges confronting our nation require partnership. Faith communities, traditional institutions, civil society, the private sector and citizens all have indispensable roles to play in promoting peace, strengthening social cohesion and advancing national development. Constructive engagement between the government and these institutions is therefore not only welcome but essential,” Akume said.

The SGF said: “The Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation will continue consultations with the leadership of the Catholic Bishops Conference, other faith-based organisations and relevant stakeholders on the issues raised during the meeting and on areas where greater collaboration can advance the national interest.”

Akume maintained that the government remains open to honest counsel and would continue to govern with openness, accountability and evidence-based policies.

He also assured that the Tinubu administration is neither seeking nor in support of a one-party state, just as it remains deeply respectful of the independence of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), in the spirit of true democracy.

Akume said the government was also sustaining dialogue and conflict prevention through the Nigeria Inter-Religious Council (NIREC), describing collaboration with religious institutions as indispensable to advancing the national interest.

According to him, the Federal Government had taken note of public reactions following the meeting between President Tinubu and the Catholic Bishops, using the opportunity to reaffirm its profound respect for the Catholic Church and its enduring contributions to Nigeria’s development through education, healthcare, humanitarian services, peacebuilding and moral guidance.

The SGF said government recognised the Church as one of Nigeria’s most important development partners and acknowledged that, like all faith communities, it had both the right and responsibility to speak on issues affecting the welfare of citizens and the country’s future.

He explained that discussions between the President and the Bishops were candid, respectful and constructive, covering concerns relating to security, economic hardship, public services, education, electoral credibility, political pluralism and religious freedom.

According to him, both parties also acknowledged progress made under the administration, including the student loan programme and recent successes by security agencies in securing the release of abducted schoolchildren and teachers.

Akume noted that while there were areas of agreement and differences in assessment, such differences should not be interpreted as a breakdown in mutual respect or detract from the shared commitment to Nigeria’s peace, unity and progress.

His comment came in the wake of the reactions following the visit of the Catholic Bishops to President Tinubu.

During the visit, the clerics had called for a credible election in 2027.

But Tinubu told them that INEC is neutral despite claims of impartiality by members of the opposition.

Following the meeting, the former Archbishop of Abuja, Cardinal John Onaiyekan, said the bishops told Tinubu that Nigeria was “bleeding” and that many citizens were grappling with severe economic hardship.

He also claimed the former Lagos governor rejected that assessment, insisting the economy was performing well.

The comment triggered a backlash from the presidency, which accused Onaiyekan of partisanship.

• Ogalla: Mbah making unprecedented marks

• South East making tremendous progress – Gen. Musa

Former Chief of the Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Emmanuel Ogalla (rtd), has been described as a patriot, a man of courageous, and exemplary officer whose career was defined by selfless service to Nigeria and an enduring commitment to national security and human capital development.

The encomiums were poured on the ex-service chief during a reception organised in his honour by the Enugu State Government to mark the successful completion of his tenure as Chief of the Naval Staff.

Speaking at the event, which took place at the International Conference Centre, Enugu, at the weekend, Governor Peter Mbah said that the former service chief earned the love of his people and colleagues through impactful leadership that transcended the ranks he wore and the offices he occupied.

“Rank gives you authority. It does not automatically earn devotion. Office can command respect. But neither can command love. That is earned quietly, over time, through relationship and by the way you treat people when no one is watching,” he stated.

He commended Ogalla’s commitment to security and human capital development, highlighting the establishment of a naval base at Ogurugu, Uzo Uwani Local Government Area, and Navy Secondary School, Umuopu, both in Igbo Eze North LGA of Enugu State.

“An operational naval base strengthens security today, and a naval school will help shape tomorrow’s leaders. One protects the present. The other invests in the future,” he said.

Mbah urged Nigerians to emulate the Ex-Naval chief’s exemplary service at their various levels of leadership.

Speaking earlier, the Minister of Defence, General Christopher Musa (rtd.), stressed that Ogalla’s military career was marked by professionalism, discipline, courage, innovation, patriotism and unwavering commitment to peace, repositioning the Navy as strategic partner in protecting the nation’s maritime interests.

“He is someone that transforms. His genius, integrity, discipline, and commitment to excellence earned him the respect of colleagues, supporters, and the nation,” Musa stated.

The minister emphasised his faith in the strategic import of the South East to Nigeria and commended the progress made by the region in general and Enugu State in particular under Governor Mbah’s leadership in the last three years.

“We are proud of the South East. And my joy is that South East is getting it right. Within three years, we have seen massive changes across South East,” he said.

Also speaking, the Chief of the Air Staff, Air Marshal Sunday Aneke, described Ogalla as a calm, humble, highly intelligent and dedicated officer whose exemplary leadership and professionalism had set a high standard in the Nigerian Navy.

Recalling their days together at the Nigerian Defence Academy and their decades of military service, Aneke said the former service chief’s character and achievements had inspired younger officers, noting that the outpouring of emotion during his pulling-out ceremony was a testament to the kind of leader he was.

“Sir, I want to thank you on behalf of the good people of Enugu State; you fought the good battle. You represented us well and we’re proud you’re our own,” he said.

He also commended Governor Mbah for organising the reception, saying, “If you don’t celebrate your own, nobody would do that for you.”

Chairman of the Enugu State Council of Traditional Rulers, Igwe Samuel Asadu, commended Governor Peter Mbah for fulfilling his promise to honour Ogalla and appreciated President Bola Tinubu for giving him the opportunity to serve as Chief of the Naval Staff.

As the traditional ruler representing Ogalla’s senatorial zone, Igwe Asadu stressed that the event was a powerful demonstration of gratitude, noting that there was no virtue greater than honouring those who had served their people and country faithfully.

Responding, Ogalla expressed immense gratitude to Enugu State, his family, military constituency, and friends for the love shown to him.

“I must specifically thank the Governor for organising this event. I must say that I am overwhelmed by what I have seen here today,” he stated.

He commended Mbah for his massive development strides and for adopting both kinetic and non-kinetic approaches in the fight against insecurity.

“I believe that what our Governor is doing is unprecedented. And I believe that we need to give him maximum support to do for the people of Enugu State and Nigeria to grow.

“The modern concept of security is not just military might and weapons, but also human security, improving the capacity of the citizens, providing employment, providing education. And these are exactly what the Governor is taking as his priorities,” he emphasised.

He expressed special gratitude to President Bola Tinubu for the opportunity to rise to the pinnacle of his career and to actualise his dream to take the Nigerian Navy to greater heights.

The event was attended by serving and retired military chiefss and prominent leaders, including former President of the Senate, Senator Ken Nnamani; former Chief of the Naval Staff, Rear Admiral Allison Madueke (Retd.); former Chief of the Army Staff and former Chief of the Army Staff, Lt. Gen. Azubuike Ihejirika.