Nigerian Army Rescues 11, 595 Boko Haram Hostages In One Month

SAN FRANCISCO, April 06, (THEWILL) – Troops of the Nigerian Army have in the course of clear-out operations in the North-East rescued no fewer than 11,595 hostages held by members of the Boko Haram sect within the last one month.

This was disclosed in a statement issued on Wednesday by the Acting Director of Army Public Relations, Col Sani Usman, who explained that troops of 155 Task Force Battalion on March 1 2016, received 10,000 refugees from the Republic of Cameroon at Banki and Bama axis after which Army Headquarters Special Forces, AHQ SF Battalion rescued 63 persons held captives by terrorists at Maleri two days later.

He added that the same unit on 5th March 2016 rescued 779 persons at Fotokol general area, a border town between Nigeria and Cameroon and that the 254 Task Force Battalion within the first week of March 2016 rescued 45 persons at Kuaguru, while 143 Battalion similarly rescued 27 persons at Gadayamo, 15 at Galadadani Dam in Madagali and 10 persons from Disa village.

The statement reads, “On 11th March 2016 troops of 231 Battalion and Armed Forces Strike Force (AFSF) also rescued seven persons held captives by Boko Haram terrorists at Betso village; 5 of whom were elderly women and 2 young girls.

“Similarly 117 Task Force Battalion on 15th March 2016, received 14 refugees from Sahuda a border town with Cameroon. The Battalion equally rescued 59 at Bitta general area on 19th March 2016.

“In similar vein, troops of 22 Brigade in conjunction with Army Headquarters Strike Group (AHQ SG) rescued 309 hostages from Kala Balge general area on 23rd of March 2016. While on 30th March 2016 troops of 25 Task Force Brigade rescued 45 men, 85 women and 137 children from the Boko Haram terrorists at, Zahdra and Weige villages.

“Thus the total number of persons rescued by the troops during the ongoing clearance operations is 11,595 from February 26th, 2016 to date,” Usman added.