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Nigerian Troops Rescue Abductees, Recover Cash, Weapons And Equipment From Islamist Insurgents

Colonel Sani Kukasheka Usman, acting director of public relations for the Nigerian Army, has issued a statement detailing a series of operations in which Nigerian troops rescued several abductees held by members of the Islamist insurgent group, Boko Haram. In addition, the military recovered weapons and seized vehicles as well as cash from Boko Haram fighters. 

Colonel Usman disclosed that, early today, troops of the 26thBattalion, 151 Task Force Battalion, 155 Task Force Battalion and 21 Brigade carried out joint operations that destroyed Boko Haram terrorist camps and enclaves in several communities in Bama local government area of Borno State. The communities include Kircha Goniye, Wujjah Alkelu, Kita Jiddum, Jameri, Geri Gana, Gere Kura and Jabe. 

“Other villages cleared by the troops were Hasana Jere and Chachile,” said the military spokesman. He added: “During the operation, our troops came in contact with elements of the terrorists group during which 2 of the terrorists were killed. The troops further recovered five Dane guns, two mobile telephone handsets, three Boko Haram terrorists’ flags and a generator as well as several vehicles.”  

Colonel Usman also revealed that troops of 22 Brigade Garrison took on a convoy of Boko Haram terrorists on motorcycles, killing one and recovering three motorcycles, a bag containing four hundred and sixty six thousand naira. In addition, the troops also rescued eight abducted persons, two adult women, two female teenagers, three male children and a minor. The statement disclosed that the minor was injured and had been transferred to a military medical facility for treatment.  

“Information gathered from the rescued persons revealed that they were abducted from Ngoshe Bara village, Gwoza Local Government Area by the Boko Haram terrorists and taken to Sambisa Forest in 2015 and married off to Boko Haram terrorists group fighters,” said Colonel Usman. The spokesman said the insurgents later relocated the abductees to area of Lake Chad prior to their rescue. 

One of the rescued women, Fatima Mohammed, a mother of two, disclosed that Boko Haram insurgents killed her husband, a retired District Court Judge in Gwoza, just before she was abducted. 

Colonel Usman disclosed that the rescued persons were being screened “to further ascertain their status.”  

Colonel Usman declared that the 22 Brigade Field Ambulance was carrying out medical outreach at the Dikwa camp for displaced persons, adding that many displaced patients had been diagnosed and treated for various ailments including physical wounds and trauma.  

He also disclosed that troops of the 122 Task Force Battalion located at Yamteke repelled an attack by Boko Haram fighters, adding that many of the insurgents were killed.

 

The remainder of the statement is below:

“Troops of 117 Task Force Battalion of 28 Task Force Brigade conveyed 40 Internally Displaced Persons from Madagali to Burnt Bricks IDP camp for proper rehabilitation after thorough screening and profiling.

“Similarly, early Wednesday morning troops of 114 Task Force Battalion, intercepted and rescued another 15 IDPs suspected to have come from Madube. The IDPs comprised of seven women and eight children. All the rescued are being screened and profiled.

On their part, 7 Division Garrison in conjunction with troops of 111 Special Forces Battalion and the civilian JTF have been performing guard and escort duties of civilian vehicles plying from Maiduguri to Damboa. This is in line with the ongoing efforts of reopening and securing Maiduguri-Damboa-Biu Road for innocent citizens and commuters. It is instructive to note that no fewer than 300 vehicles were escorted on daily basis by the units. The units and the supporting elements of the civilian JTF also escorts Non-Governmental Organizations to various parts of Borno State to provide humanitarian assistance to the Internally Displaced Persons.

“The troops also received 134 Internally Displaced Persons from Abadam which comprised of 38 male adults, 34 women and 62 children that arrived Njimtilo check point at the outskirts of Maiduguri. The IDPs were thoroughly screened by the combined team of the Military Intelligence, Department of State Services, the Police and the civilian JTF. They were later taken to an IDP camp for proper management and rehabilitation.

The Nigerian Air Force [has] also continued to provide airreconnaissance and airlift of commanders to visit troops.   

“In particular, the F-7 Fleet conducted armed reconnaissance over Maiduguri, Karetu and other locations, while the MI 17 airlifted the Acting General Officer Commanding 7 Division from Mubi to Bitta and back to Maiduguri.  

“The Acting General Officer Commanding 7 Division, Brigadier General Victor Ezugwu has in addition also visited troops 28 Task Force Brigade and [the] Emir of Mubi. Similarly, he visited troops of 114 Task Force Battalion where he urged them to continue to uphold the uncommon courage and battle resilience, which the Division was noted for. He also visited the troops of 117 Battalion as well as [those] of 115 Task Force Battalion and 7 Division Strike Forces in Chibok as well as 25 Task Force Brigade Headquarters. In all instances, he encouraged them to keep the Nigerian Army flag flying.”

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