Army rescues 5,000 hostages, kills 10 terrorists in clearance operations

Nigerian Army has rescued more than 5, 000 hostages held captive by the Boko Haram terrorists’ group, while 10 terrorists were killed in clearance operations in the North East. However, a civilian JTF member was killed, a soldier, policeman and another civilian JTF member wounded during the operations while arms,
ammunition and logistics equipment in large quantities were recovered from the terrorists. Rescued Boko Haram Captives This came as soldiers of 1 Division headquarters, Nigerian Army Kaduna, killed three armed bandits in clearance operations against cattle rustlers and kidnappers in Zamfara State. Confirming the rescue of the hostages in a statement, Colonel Sani Usman, Acting Director of Army Public Relations, said: “Troops of 21 Brigade and Civilian JTF, weekend, conducted a fighting patrol to Zangebe, Maiwa, Algaiti and Mainari villages in which they killed six Boko Haram terrorists and wounded several others. The troops also liberated over 5,000 persons held hostages by Boko Haram terrorists and recovered five motorcycles and similar number of bicycles. Similarly, troops of 7 Division Garrison Rapid Deployment Force, RDF, II, in conjunction with some of elements of Mobile Police Force and Civilian JTF today (yesterday) also conducted Boko Haram terrorists clearance operations at Masu Yiwa, Ladin Buta, Bazaka, Kesa Gala, Tabla, Fahinde, Shirori, Gizina, Maska Aribe, Maska and Maska Lawanti villages, all in Mafa Local Government Area of Borno State. During the operations, the troops encountered Boko Haram terrorists at Maska Lawanti in which they killed two terrorists and recovered two motorcycles. “Unfortunately, we lost one civilian JTF, while a soldier and one mobile policeman were wounded in action. The body of the heroic Civilian JTF and the wounded soldier and his police counterpart has since been evacuated to Maiduguri. While we commiserate with the families of the departed Civilian JTF, we wish to state that the wounded are in stable condition and responding to treatment. “In a related development, troops of 192 Battalion, 26 Task Force Brigade and some vigilantes also embarked on fighting patrol along Kusarha-Zalidava general area Saturday. The patrol team encountered some elements of Boko Haram around Zalidava-Weige villages in which they killed two Boko Haram terrorists and recovered 1 General Purpose Machine Gun (GPMG) with registration number FN 132125, a belt of 7.62mm (NATO) ammunition containing 42 rounds. Sadly, one of the vigilantes sustained an injury on his eye. However, he is getting better.” In another development, a statement confirming the clearance operation, by Col Usman said, “Troops of 223 Battalion, 1 Brigade under the auspices of Operation SHARAN DAJI of 1 Division Nigerian Army, today carried out fighting patrol to Kabaru village forest, Maru Local Government Area of Zamfara against cattle rustlers and armed bandits.” During the patrol, the troops engaged armed bandits and killed three of them and wounded some. The troops recovered 20 motorcycles, four empty cases  of 7.62mm (Special) ammunition and 4 empty cases of 7.62mm (NATO) ammunition. Other items recovered include 1 mobile telephone handset, some rings and a bag containing local charms.”