Nigerian forces free more than 180 hostages after weeks in forest

Nigerian children and adults are seen after being freed from kidnappers in Zamfara state in northern Nigeria, Thursday, Oct. 7, 2021. In one of the largest liberations of kidnap victims, at least 187 people including babies were freed from a forest in Zamfara state on Thursday in the country’s troubled north, police announced Friday, Oct. 8, 2021. (Nigeria Police Force via AP)

At least 187 people including babies have been freed in Nigeria’s troubled north, police said, in one of the country’s largest liberations of kidnap victims.

Nigerian security forces rescued the hostages from a forest in Zamfara state where they had been held for many weeks, Zamfara police spokesperson Mohammed Shehu said in a statement.