Army rescues 387 hostages in Sambisa forest

Nigeria Army has disclosed that troops from Joint Task Force, Operation Hadin Kai North-East have rescued 387 hostages held in Sambisa Forest. 

The General Officer Commanding (GOC) 7 Division and Commander Sector 1 OPHK, Brig.-Gen. Abubakar Haruna, addressed the troops after receiving the hostages at Awulari Riverside in Sambisa Forest on Sunday.

According to Brig.-Gen. Haruna, the rescue operation was conducted based on highly sensitive and valuable intelligence.

He explained that the 387 rescued persons were civilians, including women and children, who were forced to stay in the forest by Boko Haram insurgents. They were not members of the insurgent group.

The military has also recovered weapons, emeralds, and other equipment from the insurgents, who initially seized them from soldiers. During the operation, many Boko Haram fighters surrendered to the Army, and others are still surrendering.

The clearance operation, named “Operation Desert Sanity III,” involved troops from the 21 Special Armoured Brigade, 26 Task Force Brigade (114 Battalion), and 199 Special Forces Battalion. Conducted over 10 days, it resulted in the recapture of major Boko Haram enclaves, including Uqba, Sabilul Huda, Lawanti, Njimia, and Iraqi, all in Sambisa forest.

The GOC stated that the operation will continue to ensure that all parts of the Sambisa Forest are safe, allowing farmers to access their farmlands and reducing criminality in the North-East region.

He commended the Chief of Army Staff, Lt.-Gen. Taoreed Lagbaja, and the Theatre Commander Joint Task Force Operation Hadin Kai, Maj.-Gen. Waidi Shuaibu, for providing an enabling environment for the operation’s success.

Brig.-Gen. Haruna urged the troops not to relent until all parts of the Sambisa Forest were safe for Nigerians.