Maiduguri — One year after the abduction of Chibok girls,
Nigerian troops, yesterday, stormed the Sambisa forest hideout of the Boko
Haram terrorists, and rescued over 200
girls and 93 women in a daring operation.
The Defence Headquarters in a statement, yesterday, confirmed
the rescue operation but said it could not yet determine if some of the girls
were Chibok schoolgirls abducted over a year ago from Chibok town in Borno
State.
Acting Director of Army Public Relations, Col S. K. Usman, in
a statement said:
“This is to inform you that our gallant troops have been
making progress in the desired aim of ridding the nation of terrorists and their sanctuaries.
“It is heartwarming to inform you that today (yesterday),
troops continued the offensive and cleared four key terrorist camps in Sambisa
forest, Borno State. So far, they have destroyed and cleared Sassa, Tokumbere and
two other camps in the general area of Alafa, all within the Sambisa forest.
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| Chibok girls |
“The troops have also rescued 200 abducted girls and 93
women. They are presently being processed. Similarly, a number of equipment and
weapons have been captured. We will send further details and photographs soon.”
Also confirming the operation, Director, Defence Information,
Major-General Chris Olukolade, said he could not confirm the identity of the
freed victims and their origins and he could not state if any of them was from
Chibok until after thorough screening and proper investigations.
He said: “I can only confirm the rescue this afternoon
(yesterday) of 200 girls and 93 women in different camps in the forest. We are
yet to determine their origin as all the freed persons are now being screened
and profiled. We will provide more details later.”
Boko Haram kills 22 in Borno
Meanwhile, no fewer than 22 people were killed by suspected
Boko Haram members in Marguba community and surrounding villages of Beneshiekh,
the headquarters of Kaga Local Government Area of Borno State.
