Emmanuel Thomas, Lagos
October 28, 2015 – Gallant troops of 28 Task Force Bridge Nigerian Army on Tuesday freed 338 children, women and men kidnapped and held captive by members of the radical group, Boko Haram.
The soldiers secured their freedom when they raided camps of the terrorists in Bulajilin, Manawashe Villages, along Bita and Damboa road on the fringes of Sambisa Forest, the most formidable base of the terrorists.
A breakdown of the composition of those released showed that there were 8 males, 138 females and 192 children. Usman said they have since been evacuated to Mubi.
“Troops of 28 Task Force Brigade Nigerian Army deployed at Bitta and Pridang carried out a successful raid on suspected Boko Haram terrorists camps at Bulajilin and Manawashe villages along Bita and Damboa road at the fringes of Sambisa forest on Tuesday. The troops were able to killed 30 Boko Haram terrorists adding that 1 General Purpose Machine Gun and 2 Dane Guns, 150 rounds of 7.62mm (NATO), 6 boxes of 7.62mm (NATO) and 3 cutlasses were recovered from them.
“The unit also rescued 338 persons that were held captive by the terrorists in the enclaves. The rescued persons which comprised of male 8, female 138 and children 192, have since been evacuated to Mubi. Troops also recovered arms and ammunitions during the raid operation which include 1 General Purpose Machine Gun and 2 Dane Guns, 150 rounds of 7.62mm (NATO), 6 boxes of 7.62mm (NATO) and 3 cutlasses”, he said.
He added that the troops also acted on a tip off and ambushed and killed 4 suspected Boko Haram terrorists on a suicide bombing mission to Gubula, Madagali Local Government Area, Adamawa State. “Apart from 2 AK-47 rifles recovered, the troops also recovered some Unexploded Ordinances (UXOs), mortar bombs and cash sum of N153,385k was retrieved”, he said.
He said that the raid operation on the Boko Haram Terrorists enclave coincided with the Chief of Army Staff’s operational visit to the Brigade Headquarters in Mubi.
“The successful clearance operations and ambushing of the terrorists has further degraded them and saved the lives of so many innocent victims of their suicide bombings.
“Having appealed and given the terrorists final warning, we would like to state that from now on troops within bounds of respect for human rights and rules of engagement, we shall continue to decisively deal with Boko Haram terrorists until they are defeated”, he said.
He appealed for continued vigilance, security consciousness and above all cooperation with the military and security agencies for successfully defeat the terrorists.
