Military frees 360 hostages from Boko Haram faction's grip in northeastern Nigeria

Two children, however, died of exhaustion and the harsh conditions in captivity. Despite the large number of people rescued, the loss makes clear the extremely harsh conditions under which the hostages were held.

JAS and the violence in the northeast

The operation marks one of the largest rescue successes in the fight against JAS in recent times. The group is considered the main faction of the Islamist militia Boko Haram and has been responsible for kidnappings, raids and attacks in northern Nigeria for years. The Mandara Mountains on the border with Cameroon are a known retreat for the extremists.

The government of the West African country has been trying for years to end the violent conflicts. They range from clashes between herders and farmers in central Nigeria to criminal gangs, Islamist extremists and local militias in the northern states.

Government under pressure

Combating the Islamist groups in the northeast is one of the greatest security policy challenges for the government in Abuja. In addition to military operations, the state also relies on regional cooperation with neighboring countries to counter the cross-border activities of the militias. Human rights organizations have repeatedly pointed out in the past to the suffering of the civilian population and the difficult humanitarian situation in the region.

After their liberation, the survivors are expected to receive medical and psychological care. In earlier operations of this kind, those affected had suffered from trauma, malnutrition and a lack of basic medical care. International aid organizations are active in the region, but access to the remote mountainous areas is often restricted.

The success of the special forces is also seen in Nigeria against the backdrop of the ongoing debate about the efficiency of the armed forces in the fight against terrorism. The government is under pressure to permanently improve the security situation and prevent further kidnappings. At the same time, experts warn that military successes alone cannot solve the structural causes of the violence — poverty, lack of prospects and weak state presence.