23rd March, 2024
By Ayorinde Oluokun/Abuja
Troops of the Nigerian Army have killed five Boko Haram/JAS terrorists and rescued 78 people made up of 35 women and 43 children they were holding hostage during clearance operations in six villages in the North East part of the country.
Major General Onyema Nwachukwu, Director of Army Public Relations revealed this in a statement on Saturday.
He identified the villages cleared by the troops to include Ngurusoye, Sabon Gari, Mairamri 1 and 2, Bula Dalo, and Bula Dalo extension.
Other areas also cleared are Yamanci and Gargaji general areas.
“During the operation, the CT came in contact with the terrorists and fiercely engaged them in a gun battle, eliminating 5 of the terrorists.
“The valiant troops also rescued 78 persons, comprising 35 women and 43 children held hostage by the terrorists,” Nwachukwu said.
He listed items recovered by the troops to include a terrorists’ flag, a mobile phone belonging to the terrorists.
He added that the rescued victims are in custody for preliminary investigation and profiling.
“The troops have continued to maintain momentum in the ongoing Operations Desert Sanity III to rid the North East of terrorists and insurgents,” the Army spokesperson concluded.
See his full statement below
Gallant troops of 7 Division Nigerian Army have continued to pounce on the vestiges of the Islamic State of West African Province and their JAS counterpart in North East Nigeria.
In an aggressive clearance patrol conducted on Friday, 22 March 2024, by a Combat Team (CT) of the Division, troops successfully cleared 6 villages where terrorists hibernated with their hostages.
During the operation, the CT came in contact with the terrorists and fiercely engaged them in a gun battle, eliminating 5 of the terrorists. The valiant troops also rescued 78 persons, comprising 35 women and 43 children held hostage by the terrorists.
The enclaves and villages cleared by the CT include Ngurusoye, Sabon Gari, Mairamri 1 and 2, Bula Dalo, and Bula Dalo extension. Other areas also cleared are Yamanci and Gargaji general areas. Items recovered are one terrorists’ flag, a mobile phone belonging to the terrorists. The rescued victims are in custody for preliminary investigation and profiling.
The troops have continued to maintain momentum in the ongoing Operations Desert Sanity III to rid the North East of terrorists and insurgents.
ONYEMA NWACHUKWU
Major General
Director Army Public Relations
23 March 2024