As part of an ongoing offensive against armed groups in the northwest, Nigerian army have killed two militants and freed 62 hostages in separate operations around the states of Kebbi and Zamfara, on Wednesday.

Mass kidnappings by armed gangs operating out of woodland hideouts have surged in the northwest. Villages, schools, mosques and churches have all been attacked by these extremists.

Nigerian troops assaulted a notorious bandit stronghold in Zamfara after learning that hostages were being held there, according to Army spokesperson Lieutenant Colonel Olaniyi Osoba. He further added that efforts are being made to reunite the 62 hostages with their families after they were all freed and placed in secure care.

Following intelligence on the group’s movements, Nigerian armed forces ambushed Lakurawa terrorists in a different operation close to the border between Kebbi’s Augie area and neighboring Sokoto, according to Osoba.

President Donald Trump of the United States has criticized Nigeria for allegedly neglecting to save Christians from Islamist extremists in the northwest. This lead to the attack on the Islamic terrorists group in Sokoto state by the United States on December 25, 2025

The Nigerian government have denied such claims saying it targets Islamist fighters and other armed organizations that attack both Christian and Muslim civilians, saying they is not any systematic persecution of Christians.

The army further stated that the operations are a part of larger initiatives to destroy armed networks that are in charge of the region’s widespread kidnappings and insecurity.