Troops of the Nigerian Army have rescued over 100 men, women and children abducted by the Boko Haram and forced to work on terrorists’ farms in the Magumeri Local Government Area of Borno State.
The troops also captured 17 Boko Haram terrorists during the operation and killed 20 others in a shootout.
Our correspondent learnt that the encounter was part of Operation Deep Punch, conducted on the islands and villages around the Lake Chad area by troops of 8 Division.
According to the army, the operation, which commenced about two weeks ago, was aided by air bombardments of about seven villages occupied by terrorists.
Some of the settlements are Kauram, Arena Chiki, Chikun Gudu, Arena Waje, Sa’ada and Juwe.
The Deputy Director, Army Public Relations, and 8 Division’s spokesman, Colonel Timothy Antigha, said the Nigerian Air Force supported the troops with Intelligence Surveillance and Reconnaissance assets and air interdictions.
He said, “Our preliminary investigation revealed that a large number of the rescued persons were held against their will and forced to work in the farms under life-threatening conditions and penurious wages. More investigation and interviews will be conducted before the rescued persons are handed over for further action.”
Source: ( Punch Newspaper )
