Troops of the Nigerian Army have rescued 29 citizens kidnapped by Boko Haram terrorists in separate operations in Borno and Kaduna states.
The operations were conducted between August 26 and 28, 2023 in collaboration with Hybrid forces.
A statement by the Director, of Army Public Relations, Brig. Gen. Onyema Nwachukwu on Monday said a total of 25 people were rescued in Borno while four were freed in Kaduna.
He added that all rescued victims are in the troops’ custody.
The statement read, “In the unrelenting effort by troops to clear remnants of Boko Haram Terrorists enclaves in Borno and contiguous states. Troops of 144 Battalion have successfully rescued 25 hostages held captive by BHTs. The gallant troops in conjunction with Hybrid Force, extricated 14 hostages in a clearance operation at Gobara village in Gwoza Local Government Area of Borno state on Saturday 26 August 2023. The rescued persons include six women and eight children.
“In a similar operation on Sunday 27 August 2023, troops of 82 Task Force Battalion in conjunction with Hybrid Force, raided BHT enclave in Gava Village in Gwoza Local Government Area of Borno State and rescued 11 civilians. All rescued victims are presently in troops’ custody undergoing profiling. ”
Onyema noted that seven family members of Boko Haram terrorists surrendered to troops in another operation.
“In a separate operation also on August 27, 2023, seven members of a BHT family surrendered to troops of 81 Division Task Force Battalion in Dikwa Local Government Area of Borno State. The family comprised three adults and four children”, the statement added.
In Kaduna, he said troops killed one bandit and rescued four kidnapped victims.
“In an anti-banditry operation on 27 August 2023 in Kaduna State, troops of 2 Battalion, Nigerian Army, acting on actionable information neutralized one criminal and freed four kidnap victims in Kwana Shehu Village in Birnin Gwari Local Government Area of Kaduna State. The rescued victims have since been reunited with their families”, he said.
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