Troops Kill 13 Insurgents, Rescues 402 Hostages

BEVERLY HILLS, May 05, (THEWILL) – The Nigerian military has killed 13 members of the Boko Haram insurgents group in the ongoing siege on Sambisa Forest, their hideout.

It also revealed that 400 Nigerian hostages and two Cameroonians were rescued from the insurgents in three Borno villages on Wednesday.

Addressing a press conference in Maiduguri, the Head of the counter-insurgency operation in the North-East (The Theatre Commander of Operation Lafiya Dole), Maj-Gen. Lucky Irabor disclosed that the cleared villages includes Chingurimi, Walasa and Masa in Sambisa Forest of Borno state.

He said these were tremendous successes recorded against Boko Haram insurgents adding that the troops' morale is high as they continue advancing into the heart of Sambisa Forest in pursuit of Boko Haram.

Irabor added that during the troops' advances, the soldiers also made substantial gains by destroying many terrorists' locations and hideouts; before freeing first batch of 62 hostages held by the insurgents.

“So far, on 28th April, troops cleared villages of Balazala and Dure I. On 29th April, Sasawa village was cleared while on 1st May, Kasere village was also cleared of Boko Haram terrorists,” he said.

“Similarly, Markas 1&2 villages were all cleared on May, 2 and 3, 2016 respectively. Some hostages were also rescued by own troops; while maintaining a blocking position at Tokombere on May 4, 2016 in Gwoza council area of Borno state.”

“After killing quite a number of Boko Haram terrorists, the troops rescued 17 women and an old man, and 24 children in the cleared areas of the forest. They also recovered an AK 47 rifle, six rounds of 7.62mm, 295 rounds of 7.62mm (NATO), 12 Dane guns, 21 unserviceable mobile phones handsets and one serviceable; as well as 150 different SIM cards.

“In all the troops rescued over 400 persons held hostages by Boko Haram terrorists were freed on Tuesday and Wednesday.”

He revealed the Nigerian troops have blocked terrorists routes at various positions, about 300 herds of cattle that were rustled by terrorists have been recovered and handed over to their owners after thorough investigation within the period under review.

He said in addition to arrests made of persons who have been supplying fuel and other logistics to the terrorists: “The troops went on a long range rescue mission during the period of operation crackdown; including the rescue of young girls from Walasa community of the state.”

He however assured that troops remained resolute to clear and liberate the entire stretch of Sambisa Forest under Operation Crackdown; as well as other locations in the North-East.

He assured that those terrorists who are willing to surrender would be treated l in line with international best practices.