Army Rescues Additional 801 Persons In Ongoing Anti-Terrorism Operations

The Nigerian Army said on Wednesday that it had rescued additional 801 persons held hostage by the Boko Haram terrorists in its ongoing anti-terrorism operations.

Maj.-Gen. Lucky Irabor, Theatre Commander, Operation Lafiya Dole in the North-East, made the announcement while briefing newsmen in Maiduguri.

He said the persons were rescued between Nov. 23 and Dec. 7.

“A total of 801 persons were rescued from the terrorists’ camps from Nov. 23 to date,” he said.


Irabor said the military had also arrested a number of terrorists fleeing their Sambisa forest hideout due to the ongoing operation.

“Likewise, on Dec. 4, at about 1345hrs, our troops in conjunction with local vigilantes intercepted five men, 29 women and children heading towards Goniri from Kafa.

“The men were screened by the local vigilantes and two of them were confirmed to be terrorists.

“They have since been taken into custody and are undergoing interrogation.

The military also apprehended suspected cattle rustlers during its operations.

“On Nov. 28, four persons and a teenager were arrested by our troops deployed in Bulabulim Ngarnam with four cows.

“The arrested persons have been handed over to the Nigeria Police.”