The Nigerian Army has stated that no fewer than 386 people, mostly women and children, have been rescued in Sambisa Forest.
The rescue was coming ten years after these people were abduction by the Boko Haram bandits.
This was disclosed by the acting General Officer Commanding, GOC, 7 Division, AGL Haruna.
Huruna made the disclosure while speaking to newsmen at the outskirts of Sambisa Forest in Konduga LGA of Borno State.
In his address to welcome the troops that conducted the 10-day operation, Haruna, expressed happiness.
The Brigadier General, said the operation tagged “Operation Desert Sanity 111” was to clear the Sambisa Forest of the remnants of all categories of terrorists. He added that the operation was to provide some of the terrorists eager to surrender the opportunity to do so.
He said, “Our effort is to ensure that we clear remnants of terrorists in the Sambisa Forest. And to give those willing to surrender the opportunity to surrender.
“With this operation, we envisage many of them will surrender as they have started.
“We also rescued some civilians. As of yesterday, we rescued 386 and I am sure the number will increase by today,” Haruna said.
The GOC, who addressed the troops on the message of Chief of Army Staff, lauded their performance and professionalism exhibited during the operation and urged them to sustain the tempo.
News Agency of Nigeria, NAN, some of those rescued from Sambisa Forest, said they were in captivity for 10 years.
The News Agency of Nigeria reports that troops from 21 Special Armoured Brigade, 26 Task Force Brigade, and 199 Special Forces participated in the operation.
source: Premium Times