Sambisa: Troops rescue 160 women, children in fresh raid

Acting Director, Army Public Relations, Col. Sani Usman, has said soldiers have rescued more women andchildren during a raid on Sambisa Forest on Wednesday.The Special Forces had rescued 293 ladies, comprising 200 girls and 93 women, during an earlier operation in the Sambisa Forest on Tuesday.This has fueled speculations that the girls, currently undergoing medical scrutiny and other preparatory measures for interrogation at the University of Maiduguri Teaching Hospital, might be the Chibok girls, who were kidnapped on April 14, 2014.Usman toldAFPthat those rescued on Tuesday comprised 60 women and 100 children.He added that the troops killed several commanders and fighters of the Boko Haram during the raid which resulted in the destruction of nine training camps and facilities of the insurgents.According to him, the women and children who were rescued, have been moved to safer areas for further action.The Army spokesman said a soldier was killed and four others were wounded during the operation.Usman said the troops captured some weapons and vehicles from the insurgents, which included two Armoured Personnel Carriers, two Buffalo vehicles mounted with anti-aircraft guns, and some Hilux vehicles.Usman said a woman was killed and eight others sustained gunshot wounds during the operation.He said, “Please recall that we promised to keep you abreast of troops’ progress in respect of Nigerian military’s ongoing operations to rid the country of terrorists and their enclaves.“In line with that, I wish to inform you that today’s evening, troops of 7 Division Nigerian Army also cleared several terrorists strong points and training camps within Sambisa forest, Borno State, Nigeria.“The troops have also rescued more women and children. They have been evacuated to a safety zone for further processing.“During the encounter, unfortunately, we lost a soldier, while four others were wounded in action.“The troops have also killed several Boko Haram field commanders and foot soldiers and destroyed two Armoured Personnel Carriers, two Buffalo vehicles mounted with Anti-Aircraft Guns, a truck and several Hilux vehicles.“The gallant soldiers also recovered one Anti-Aircraft Gun, one General Purpose Machine Gun, one RocketPropelled Grenade and several AK-47 rifles. Sadly, one woman died and eight other women sustained gun shot wounds.“So far, the troops have destroyed nine terrorist camps in the forest.”He said the camps destroyed were in addition to four others destroyed by the military on Tuesday.According to him, the camps destroyed are Wulari Bukar, Gangala, Anguwar Bakwai and Jigide, Kotorima,Lagara Bello and Lagara Fulani.He added that the morale of the troops remained very high and were poised to destroying all the remaining terrorists’ camps and rescue other hostages.