Nigerian military forces have rescued at least 47 hostages — predominantly women and children — held captive by the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) following sustained operations in Borno State, in the country's restive northeast. The military confirmed the rescue on Tuesday, 23 June, though the exact date of the operation was not specified in its statement.

How the Rescue Unfolded

The operation was centred on Kangarwa, a town in Kukawa Local Government Area of Borno State, believed to harbour an ISWAP enclave. Coordinated ground and air assaults forced militants to abandon their positions, allowing the captives — who had been held for a prolonged period — to escape. The military described the strikes as part of an intensified campaign against ISWAP strongholds in the broader Lake Chad region.

All 47 rescued individuals have been moved to a secure location to receive medical attention. Arrangements are reportedly underway to provide humanitarian assistance and facilitate family reunification, according to the military statement.

Wider Campaign Against ISWAP

The rescue comes amid a broader offensive that has yielded significant results in recent months. In May, more than 175 ISIS militants were eliminated on the battlefield during joint strikes. Nigeria's army spokesman Samaila Uba said in a statement on 19 May that the strikes 'destroyed checkpoints, weapons depots, logistics centres, military equipment, and the headquarters of financial networks used to support terrorist operations.'

Notably, on 15 May, US President Donald Trump announced on Truth Social that the IS leader had been killed in a joint operation by US and Nigerian forces. 'Tonight, at my direction, brave American forces and the Armed Forces of Nigeria flawlessly executed a meticulously planned and very complex mission to eliminate the most active terrorist in the world from the battlefield,' Trump stated.

US-Nigeria Military Cooperation

The rescue and recent battlefield gains reflect deepening military ties between Abuja and Washington. AFRICOM Commander Dagvin Anderson, testifying at a congressional hearing in Washington, credited Nigerian forces as central to recent successes: 'The Nigerians have played a crucial role over the past few months: they identified the target, helped us gather intelligence, and provided the support necessary to complete this mission,' he said.

This growing bilateral cooperation marks a significant shift in counter-insurgency strategy in West Africa, with US assets increasingly integrated into Nigerian-led operations in the Lake Chad basin.

Scale of the Crisis

The jihadist insurgency in Nigeria's northeast — initially driven by Boko Haram and subsequently by ISWAP — has, since 2009, killed more than 40,000 people and displaced over 2 million, according to the United Nations. Borno State has remained the epicentre of violence, with communities in the Lake Chad basin bearing a disproportionate humanitarian burden.

The latest rescue, while a meaningful tactical success, underscores how deeply entrenched the insurgency remains — and how far the region still is from durable stability.