Nigerian forces free 360 hostages from Boko Haram hideout
What's new: Two infants died after the rescue, and one local group disputed the army's account, saying 416 captives were released through mediation.
Nigerian security forces freed 360 men, women and children from a Boko Haram hideout in the Mandara mountains in southern Borno state, the military said. The hostages had been taken from several communities around Ngoshe in March and were evacuated for medical treatment and humanitarian support after what the army described as an intelligence-led joint operation. Military spokesperson Haruna Sani said fighters from Jama'atu Ahlis Sunna Lidda'awati wal-Jihad abandoned their positions during the assault. Two infants died from exhaustion after prolonged captivity and the harsh terrain. The account was disputed by the Borno South Youth Initiative, which said it helped secure an unconditional release and put the total at 416.