383 women and children abducted 10 years ago by insurgents have been rescued from Sambisa Forest in Borno State.
The acting General Officer Commanding (GOC), 7 Division Nigerian Army, Brig.-Gen. Abubakar Haruna, announced this during a visit to the frontline troops on the outskirts of Sambisa Forest in Konduga Local Government Area of Borno State.
The GOC stated that the Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lt.-Gen. Taoreed Lagbaja, is highly pleased with troop’s performance and successfully clearing insurgents’ enclaves at Lawanti, Ukuba, Farisu, Sabil Huda, Njimia, Garin Gulukos, Garin Falluja, Shababul Ummah, Garin Pannel Bitter and Lagara Anguwan Gwai Gwai within the Sambisa Forest.
Haruna said troops of the Operation Hadin Kai’s Joint Task Force (JTF), especially the Special Forces Troops of 21 Armoured Brigade at Bama; the Civilian JTF; and the Hybrid Forces, had done exceptionally well and needed to sustain the tempo.
The GOC declared a 10-day operation to further sustain the onslaught against the insurgents hiding in the forest.
He said the military exercise, tagged: “Operation Desert Sanity III”, aimed at clearing the remnants of terrorists in the forest.“You have done your best. You have sacrificed yourselves to ensure that peace and normalcy return to the Northeast. This is a wonderful outing and we are very happy.
The GOC hailed General Lagbaja for his support, which translated to the successes recorded by the troops in the frontlines.
He also praised the Theatre Commander of the Northeast Operation Hadin Kai’s Joint Task Force, Maj.-Gen. Waidi Shuaibu, for his strategic guidance and supervision.