Nigerian Military ‘Rescues 11,595 Boko Haram Hostages’ in March

By Senator Iroegbu

The Nigerian military says it rescued 11,595 hostages from Boko Haram in the month of March.

The Director of Army Public Relations (DAPR), Col. Sani Usman, daid in a statement on Wednesday that most of these persons were rescued at various areas and towns where remnants of the terrorists were hibernating before the clearance operations by various formations and units in the theatre of operation.

He disclosed that others were also received from the neighbouring Cameroun.

On March 1, 2016, he noted, troops of 155 Task Force Battalion received 10,000 refugees from the Republic of Cameroon at Banki and Bama axis.

He said: “Two days later, Army Headquarters Special Forces (AHQ SF) Battalion also rescued 63 persons held captive by terrorists at Maleri. The same unit on 5th March 2016 rescued 779 persons at Fotokol general area, a border town between Nigeria and Cameroon.

“Within the first week of March 2016, the 254 Task Force Battalion also rescued 45 persons at Kuaguru, while 143 Battalion similarly rescued 27 persons at Gadayamo,15 at Galadadani Dam in Madagali and 10 persons from Disa village. On 11th March, 2016 troops of 231 Battalion and Armed Forces Strike Force (AFSF) also rescued 7 persons held captives by Boko Haram terrorists at Betso village; five of whom were elderly women and two young girls.”