Troops rescue 14 women, 17 children from Boko Haram insurgents in Borno

Troops of Operation Lafiya Dole have rescued 31 hostages – 14 women and 17 children – from Boko Haram insurgents at Mantari, Malam Masari and Gabchari Villages in Bama local government area of Borno State.

The troops also killed at least eight Boko Haram fighters during raids on the terrorists’ hideouts in various parts of the state.

A statement issued on Monday by the Media Coordinator of the Nigerian Army Operations, Col. Aminu Iliyasu, said the troops conducted an aggressive fighting patrol at a location earlier reported by the Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance (ISR) mission conducted by the Air Task Force of Operation LAFIYA DOLE as harbouring some Boko Haram criminal elements.

The statement read: “Subsequently, the troops immediately embarked on the exploitation of this success by pursuing them along their withdrawal route.

“During the said exploitation, troops discovered the body of one Boko Haram terrorist and further observed several trails of blood along the said route.

“Additionally, two AK 47 Rifles, two AK 47 Rifle magazines loaded with 30 rounds of 7.62mm Special ammunition each, three unexploded Mortar bombs for the making of Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs) were captured from the insurgents.

“Other items equally captured include, one bundle of IED cable, one IED battery, one camel bag, three motorcycles, three sets of overall cloths, bedding materials, cooking utensils, food items, motorcycle spare parts, 122 cylinder tubes and various mechanical tools.

“It could be recalled that, in a related development, the criminal Boko Haram elements suffered a similar defeat in the hands of the troops of 144 Battalion deployed at Limankara in Gwoza LGA of Borno State during a failed attempt to infiltrate the troops’ location.

“During the exploitation exercise that followed the brief firefight with the marauding criminals, the troops discovered burnt body parts of three Boko Haram criminals hit by a Rocket Propelled Grenade bomb explosion as well as some broken AK 47 Rifle parts and traces of blood along the criminals’ withdrawal route.

“Also troops of 101 Task Force Battalion deployed at Cross Kauwa in Kukawa LGA of Borno State made contact with some marauding Boko Haram criminals while conducting Clearance Operations along Cross Kauwa – Monguno Road.

“The visibly shaken Boko Haram criminals who evidently couldn’t stand the troops’ superiority fled for safety. Nevertheless, the unrelenting troops went on a hot pursuit and arrested two of the criminals.

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“In another development troops of 68/94 Battalions deployed at Malam Fatori in Abadam LGA of Borno State conducted a successful ambush at a Boko Haram criminals crossing point North East of the town and neutralised one Boko Haram criminal while many others escaped with varying degrees of gunshot wounds.

“However, the troops recovered some vandalised roofing sheets, 33 IED detonator cords, and other IED making materials. Preliminary investigation revealed that the criminals are part of the IED laying party along the route.

“In another successful ambush operation conducted by the troops of 21 Special Armoured Brigade at Darel Jamel, Bama LGA of Borno State, the troops neutralised one Boko Haram terrorist while several others escaped with gunshot wounds.

“Same troops also conducted a robust clearance operation same day and cleared Boko Haram criminals’ hideouts at Mantari, Malam Masari and Gabchari Villages in Bama LGA of Borno State.

“During the operation, troops neutralised one Boko Haram criminal and destroyed all discovered terrorist enclaves within the area. It is gratifying to note that, the troops also rescued 31 persons comprising 14 women and 17 children from the insurgents.”

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