78 more hostages rescued in Borno as troops kill 5 terrorists
The Nigerian Army in collaboration with the Office of the National Security Adviser has successfully rescued the 16 Tsangaya pupils abducted by bandits in Gada local government area about two weeks ago.
One other lady was also rescued.
This was made known when the military presented the rescued children and a lady to the Sokoto State governor, Dr Ahmed Aliyu at the Government House, Sokoto.
Speaking at the brief occasion to receive the rescued victims, Governor Aliyu commended the military and the office of the National Security Adviser for successfully rescuing the abducted children.
He added that all the rescued children have been subjected to medical examinations to ascertain their health conditions.
“All the children have been found healthy and are ready to be reunited with their parents.
“I want to use this medium to call on people of the state to continue to support the present administration in its quest to fully secure the state,” the governor urged.
The governor also announced a donation of two bags of grains and N100,000 to each of the rescued abductees.
The governor also stressed the need for the people to always cooperate with the various security operatives especially on credible intelligence gathering so as to nip banditry and other crimes in the bud.
Earlier, the Garrison Commander, 8 Division of the Nigerian Army, Sokoto, General Amos Tawasimi commended the governor for his unflinching support to the military especially in the task of ridding the state of banditry.
He restated the commitment of the Nigerian Army to making Sokoto a secured place and appealed for more support from the public.
A statement by the director, Defence Media Operations, Major General Edward Buba added that the children were rescued on March 21, 2024 during a cordon and search operation by the military working with local authorities and government agencies across the country.
He said the rescued hostages have been handed over to the Sokoto State Government for further action.
He said the armed forces is deploying resources to find other innocent hostages and track down the terrorists that perpetrated these crimes.
“These efforts would continue until they are found and the terrorists arrested, tried and brought to justice by Nigerian law. The military would not rest until all kidnapped hostages are rescued,” he said.
He further stated that troops are deploying same effort to track down the culprits responsible for the killings of 18 soldiers in Okuama Community in Delta State on 14 March 2024.
General Buba reiterated that military has released a banner of wanted terrorists and their cohorts in a bid to curb the freedom of action.
Troops of 7 Division Nigerian Army have killed 5 terrorists and rescued 78 hostages during clearance operations in Borno villages.
A statement by the Director Army Public Relations Major General Onyema Nwachukwu the troops in an aggressive clearance patrol on 22 March 2024 successfully cleared six villages where terrorists hibernated with their hostages
According to the statement, the following enclaves and villages were cleared by the troops; Ngurusoye, Sabon Gari, Mairamri 1 and 2, Bula Dalo, and Bula Dalo extension. Other areas also cleared are Yamanci and Gargaji general areas.
The troops recovered; one terrorists’ flag and a mobile phone belonging to the terrorists.
He said troops during the operation came in contact with the terrorists and fiercely engaged them in a gun battle, eliminating 5 of the terrorists.
He added that the troops also rescued 78 persons, comprising 35 women and 43 children held hostage by the terrorists.
General Nwachukwu said the rescued victims were in custody for preliminary investigation and profiling,adding that troops have continued to maintain momentum in the ongoing Operations Desert Sanity III to rid the North East of terrorists and insurgents.