Military rescues 605 women, children from Sambisa Forest

Nigerian Army on Wednesday

COAS, Gen. Tukur Buratai

The Theatre Commander, Operation Lafiya Dole, Maj. Gen. Leo Irabor, said this at a press briefing at the 7 Division headquarters, in Maiduguri, Borno State.

He added that 69 adult men were also rescued by the army to bring the number of freed captives to 605 persons.

Irabor said, “The troops have continued to make remarkable progress in the fight against terrorism in the Sambisa Forest. Between December 7 and 14, 2016, 180 adult females, 227 male children and 129 female children, were rescued during the operations. Sixty-nine adult males were also rescued.

“The victims are in the military custody and are undergoing further investigation and interrogation. The troops are determined to wipe out the terrorists from their hideouts. I can tell you that the counter terrorism operation is already yielding positive results.”

On the death of Lt.Col. Otos Umusu, the commander of the 118 task force battalion, he said.

“The Lt. Col. was not killed in any Boko Haram ambush. The soldiers stepped on an IED, and the Lt. Col. died while being rushed to a hospital. The other soldiers, who were injured, are recuperating in a hospital.”