The Nigerian army has rescued 360 people abducted by Boko Haram during an operation in Borno State in the country’s northeast, military authorities said on Sunday.

According to an army statement, the operation was carried out in the Mandara Mountains, a known stronghold of the militant group in southern Borno. The mission led to the rescue of hundreds of captives, including children, who had been abducted from different communities across the state.

Army spokesperson Haruna Sani said two infants died from exhaustion during the rescue operation due to the difficult mountainous terrain and the hardships they endured during their prolonged captivity.

“The remaining rescued abductees were successfully evacuated to safe locations for medical care and humanitarian support, marking a major operational success and a significant setback for the terrorist group,” Sani said.

Nigeria continues to face a complex security crisis, particularly in its northern regions, where a long-running insurgency, widespread kidnappings for ransom and illegal mining activities have intensified security concerns.

Among the most active armed groups are Boko Haram and its splinter faction, the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP), which is affiliated with the Islamic State group.

Last month, Nigerian authorities said a joint operation with the United States killed 175 ISWAP fighters.

The insurgency in northeastern Nigeria has killed thousands of people and displaced millions, according to the United Nations. Security analysts have repeatedly criticized the government’s response, saying stronger measures are needed to protect civilians despite President Bola Tinubu’s pledges to tackle the crisis.