By Augustine Ehikioya
In its efforts to rid the country of terrorists, troops of 144 Battalion have stormed some Boko Haram enclaves in Borno State and other states in the North East, rescuing 25 hostages in the operations.
While 14 hostages were rescued during operation at Gobara Village in Gwoza Local Government Area of Borno, 11 hostages were rescued at Gava Village in the same Local Government.
A statement issued on Monday by the Director Army Public Relations, Brigadier General, Onyema Nwachukwu, and made available to Security Watch Africa (SWA), also said the hostages are undergoing profiling in the troops custody.
It said “In the unrelenting effort by troops to clear remnants of Boko Haram Terrorists (BHT) enclaves in Borno and contiguous states. Troops of 144 Battalion have successfully rescued 25 hostages held captive by BHTs.
”The gallant troops in conjunction with Hybrid Force, extricated 14 hostages in a clearance operation at Gobara Village in Gwoza Local Government Area of Borno State on Saturday 26 August, 2023.”
The rescued persons, the statement said, included 6 women and 8 children.
It added “In a similar operation on Sunday 27 August, 2023, troops of 82 Task Force Battalion in conjunction with Hybrid Force, raided BHT enclave in Gava Village in Gwoza Local Government Area of Borno State and rescued 11 civilians.
“All rescued victims are presently in troops’ custody undergoing profiling.
“In a separate operation also on 27 August, 2023, seven members of a BHT family surrendered to troops of 81 Division Task Force Battalion in Dikwa Local Government Area of Borno State. The family comprised three adults and four children,” it stated.
The statement also disclosed that one kidnapper was neutralized and four victims were freed in the North West of the country on Sunday.
It said “In an anti-banditry operation on 27 August, 2023 in Kaduna State, troops of 2 Battalion, Nigerian Army, acting on actionable information neutralized one criminal and freed four kidnap victims in Kwana Shehu Village in Birnin Gwari Local Government Area of Kaduna State.
“The rescued victims have since been reunited with their families.”
The statement urged members of the public to support the troops with credible information to enhance ongoing operations across the country.
