Troops of the Nigerian Army have rescued 383 women and children abducted by terrorists and insurgents in Sambisa Forest in Borno State.
Those rescued include women and children who had been held in the forest for 10 years.
The acting General Officer Commanding (GOC) of the 7 Division of the Nigerian Army, Brig.-Gen. Abubakar Haruna, announced this yesterday during a visit to the frontline troops on the outskirts of Sambisa Forest in Konduga Local Government Area of Borno State.
The GOC hailed the troops for dislodging Boko Haram insurgents from the dreaded forest.
He also praised the troops for successfully clearing insurgents’ enclaves at Lawanti, Ukuba, Farisu, Sabil Huda, Njimia, Garin Gulukos, Garin Falluja, Shababul Ummah, Garin Pannel Bitter and Lagara Anguwan Gwai Gwai within the Sambisa Forest.
Haruna said troops of the Operation Hadin Kai’s Joint Task Force (JTF), especially the Special Forces Troops of 21 Armoured Brigade at Bama; the Civilian JTF; and the Hybrid Forces, had done exceptionally well and needed to sustain the tempo.
The GOC declared a 10-day operation to further sustain the onslaught against the insurgents hiding in the forest.
He said the military exercise, tagged: “Operation Desert Sanity III, is aimed at clearing the remnants of terrorists in the forest.
The troops, Haruna said, expected more insurgents to surrender in the coming days.
“I want to commend you for your exceptional performance and professionalism exhibited during the operation and I urge you to sustain the tempo. The Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lt.-Gen. Taoreed Lagbaja, is highly pleased with your performance.
“You have done your best. You have sacrificed yourselves to ensure that peace and normalcy return to the Northeast. This is a wonderful outing and we are very happy.
“We have to stop whatever we are doing and come here to let you know that we are with you always. To know what you people are doing so that we can have a feeling of what you people are going through,” he said.
The GOC hailed General Lagbaja for his support, which translated to the successes recorded by the troops in the frontlines.
He also praised the Theatre Commander of the Northeast Operation Hadin Kai’s Joint Task Force, Maj.-Gen. Waidi Shuaibu, for his strategic guidance and supervision.