Nigerian Army Says 247 Civilians Have Been Rescued From Boko Haram

Nigerian troops involved in Operation Lafiya Dole as well as their counterparts from neighboring countries, under the Multinational Joint Task Force, have

announced significant progress in their efforts to clear the remnants of Boko Haram terrorists in their respective areas of operation.

The announcement was made in a press statement signed by the Acting Director of Army Public Relations Colonel SK Usman.

The statement said the troops have collectively rescued a total of 247 people abducted by Boko Haram. They also killed and arrested suspected Boko Haram terrorists and recovered a variety of weapons and equipment.

The spokesman described the morale of the troops as very high and called on the public, especially in Borno State, to be security conscious and cooperate with the security agencies.

According to Mr. Usman, on May 30th, troops of 81st Battalion, 251st Task Force Battalion, and  25th Task Force Brigade, received 79 people who claimed to have fled Ngwalimiri village in Borno State where they were held captive by Boko Haram.

Those rescued included 12 men, 24 women, 31 children, and 12 infants who, according to Mr. Usman, are currently undergoing preliminary investigation and screening to before being moved to an Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) camp for rehabilitation.

In an attempt to make Bitta-Damboa Road safe for commuters Mr. Usman said that troops of 28th Task Force Brigade cleared  Bulajani, Mulgwo and Muotu villages of Boko Haram terrorists.

In Muotu, he disclosed that a soldier sustained a head injury and five other terrorists were killed. A few Boko Haram members reportedly escaped with gunshot wounds and the troops recovered three locally made guns. 

As the troops advanced, they teamed up those of 25th Task Force Brigade at Gombori village, where they rescued 157 people fleeing Boko Haram. The rescued persons included 47 women, 91 children and 19 men who are currently undergoing processes that will lead to their rehabilitation.

Around Garrison Headquarters Complex in Maiduguri, a 28-year old suspected Boko Haram spy, Musa Mallam Aman, was arrested by troops of 7 Division Garrison.

Preliminary investigation confirmed that he hails from Maradhi, Niger Republic.

Mr. Aman, who has been handed over to the Joint Interrogation Committee (JIC), was quoted as saying there are many Boko Haram spies in Maiduguri. Mr. Usman disclosed that efforts have been intensified to arrest his accomplices. 

In Dikwa, troops of 22 Brigade Garrison, supported by counterparts from the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), have been carrying out routine and  fighting patrols to ensure security in locations where construction and rehabilitation of public buildings and infrastructure are taking place. This move is with a view to facilitating the return of public officials and people to their ancestral homes. 

Similar clearance operations and patrols are being carried out by troops to keep Maiduguri-Mafa-Dikwa-Gamboru Ngala Road. 

According to Mr. Usman, troops attached to the 26th Task Force Brigade have intensified patrols and clearance operations in their jurisdiction. It was through their activities that an Unexploded Object (UXO) and its casing were discovered at Hausari Street Gada Mayo on Tuesday afternoon.

Also on Tuesday, another formation of the Brigade launched an offensive that successfully cleared terrorists' hideouts along Gwoza-Kwatara-Kasa-Uvaha Hills, rescuing four men, two women and five children that fled a Boko Haram enclave at Uvaha.

Assisted by tip-offs from members of the public, troops of 7th Division Garrison also conducted clearance patrol at Abachari, Asanari, Mediari, Toluwari, Chuwnari, Gaya, Zarumari, Alanari, Shuwari, Ngadaya, Chempo, Samaa, Matari,  Utoro and Kayamla in Jere and Konduga Local Government Areas (LGA) of Borno State on May 31st. 

During the patrols, troops encountered Boko Haram terrorists at Samaa village, killing a number of them and recovering three motorcycles, 143 rounds of 7.62mm ammunition and pellets for making Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs) among other items.

The activities of the troops have also resulted in the surrender of many Boko Haram terrorists.

Mr. Usman disclosed that 77 terrorists have surrendered to troops of 122nd Task Force Battalion. They comprised 17 men, 16 women, 16 boys and 28 girls who were later transferred to Yamteke by a combined team of 26 Task Force Brigade for preliminary investigation and screening.

On a related note, troops also arrested Corporal Musa Titima, a soldier who absconded from duty while on "Operation Crackdown" at Bitta., Titima, whose number was given as 03NA/53/3098, was of 117 Task Force Battalion, but attached to 114 Task Force Battalion.

He was alleged to have been involved in a fracas with a civilian, Mr. Salisu Ngatha, at Kabang Ward on 30. The incident resulted in the death of the latter. 

Mr. Titima has, according to the statement, has been moved to the Brigade headquarters for proper investigation and other disciplinary procedures.

Source