Military rescues 345 Nigerians, five Camerounians from B’Haram

As the Nigerian military continues the counter insurgency operations in the Northeast, 350 people including five (5) Camerounian girls abducted by the insurgents, were rescued during joint raids carried out by troops of the 7 Division Garrison, 112 Battalion, Army Headquarters Support Group and elements of Armed Forces Special Forces, in two local governments councils of Borno State.

The joint fighting patrol carried out at suspected “Boko Haram terrorists’ enclave in Gajibo, Maula, Gamai, Gamare, Maiwa, Warsale, Tangli, Tushi, Sowa, Hasanari, Changuwa, Malamaja and Marya towns in Mafa and Dikwa Local Government Councils.”

According to a statement issued by the acting Director Army Public Relations (DAPR) Col. Sani Usman, the engagement with the insurgents claimed the lives of five (5) members of the Boko Haram sect, while “an AK-47 rifle, 10 motorcycles and 1 logistic truck belonging to the terrorists were recovered. The troops also rescued 350 people held hostages by the terrorists. Among those rescued were 5 girls abducted from Cameroun.”

Usman said the raids, which have been carried out in various sectors of the Operation Lafiya Dole, besides the numerous patrols, cordon and search operations, all as part of efforts to clear the area of the remnants of terrorists elements, some of who hide among the people in the communities.

“One of such operations led to the discovery and arrest of 2 suspected Boko Haram terrorists hiding among the community by the patrol teams of 254 Task Force Battalion” in Kubwa village in Borno State.

In another clearance exercise carried out by another patrol team of the same unit, at Korode, where some suspected Boko Haram elements on sighting the troops, ran and abandoned 6 motorcycles and beans looted from the inhabitants of the area. The same team also recovered 21 motorcycles and Boko Haram terrorists’ flag at Korode abandoned by the fleeing terrorists.