By Evelyn Usman & Ndahi Marama

Nigerian troops yesterday engaged Boko Haram terrorists in a fierce battle in Sambisa forest and in the process rescued about 160 more hostages taking the total number liberated this week alone to nearly 500.

This handout picture released by the Nigerian army on April 30, 2015 and taken this week in an undisclosed location in the Sambisa Forest, Borno state, purportedly shows a member of the Nigerian Army standing next to a group of women and children rescued in an operation against the Islamist group Boko Haram. Boko Haram hostages were held in atrocious conditions in the group’s Sambisa Forest stronghold, Nigeria’s military said on April 30 after nearly 500 women and girls were released this week. AFP PHOTO / NIGERIAN ARMY

The Acting Director, Army Public Relations, Colonel Sani Usman, who disclosed this to newsmen in a statement, said, “We are still trying to compute the actual number of those rescued. But tentatively there are about 60 women of various ages and around 100 children”.

Usman said one woman was killed in the fighting and eight other rescued hostages were injured. A soldier was also killed and four others wounded.

He further said two major combat tanks and high calibre ammunition used by the Boko Haram terrorists were recovered while many others were destroyed.

The latest rescue comes after the military said on Tuesday it had found 200 girls and 93 women kidnapped by the militants and held in the forest. Usman has said the former hostages did not include the 219 girls snatched from their school on April 14 last year but the Defence headquarters said it was too early to tell.

The first release of 200 girls and 93 women was announced on Tuesday, raising hopes that some of the 219 girls snatched from their school in Chibok in April last year were among them.

Usman, in the statement, said: “I wish to inform you that today (Wednesday) evening, troops of 7 Division Nigerian Army also cleared several terrorists’ strong points and training camps within Sambisa forest, Borno State, Nigeria.

“The troops have also rescued additional women and children. They have been evacuated to a safe zone for further processing.

“During the encounter, unfortunately we lost a soldier, while four others were wounded in action. The troops have also killed several Boko Haram field commanders and foot soldiers and destroyed two Armoured Personnel Carriers, two Buffalo vehicles mounted with Anti-Aircraft Guns, a truck and several Hilux vehicles.

“The gallant soldiers also recovered one Anti-Aircraft Gun, one General Purpose Machine Gun, one Rocket Propelled Grenade and several AK-47 rifles. Sadly, one woman died and eight other women sustained gunshot wounds.

Razed insurgents’ camps

“So far, the troops have destroyed nine terrorist camps in the forest. This is in addition to the four destroyed yesterday. The destroyed camps includes Wulari Bukar, Gangala, Anguwar Bakwai and Jigide. Others include Kotorima, Lagara Bello and Lagara Fulani among others.

“I am glad to say that troops’ morale is very high as they are poised to accomplish the task of destroying all terrorists’ camps and rescuing all those held hostage by the terrorists.”

Profiling the rescued

Director of Defence Information, Major General Chris Olukolade at a briefing yesterday also confirmed the rescue of more women

He said: “The true identity of some of the rescued women and girls are yet to be ascertained. At the moment, what is uppermost and of priority is their movement to a conducive place where they are now undergoing thorough profiling to verify their true identity, where they come from, how they found themselves in the forest, etc.

“Additional number of persons is still being recovered from the forest. Until such comprehensive profiling is done, nobody can confirm whether they are among the Chibok girls or not.

“Whoever they may be, the important thing is that Nigerians held captive under very severe and inhuman conditions have been freed by our gallant troops.

“The joy and sense of hope being expressed by many Nigerians on hearing about the rescue operation is therefore understandable.

“We would like to reassure them that the momentum of this operation will be sustained until that Sambisa forest is comprehensively cleaned out and all Nigerians held captive within the bowels of the forest are rescued. There is great hope for the recovery of more hostages of the terrorists.

… not over

“The mission is not over, until we reach the end before we can say if the girls are there. As I am talking to you today, more women and girls are being rescued and others are coming out from the forest, that is why it is difficult to give an exact number; and some of these people have to be stabilized because of the trauma they have undergone for God knows how long.

“After calming them, we will then ask certain questions. This is not something you do in a hurry.

Expatiating on the operation, Olukolade said, “The troops have commenced operations deep into the Sambisa forest after sustained aerial bombardments by the Nigerian Air Force. The main objective is to decimate and clear the terrorists from the forest which is their last bastion.

“The well coordinated operation is already yielding results as troops in the last few days rescued 200 girls and 93 women and an additional number of hostages. Over 13 terrorists camps including the notorious ‘Tokumbere’camp in Sambisa forest have been captured. Other camps overran and destroyed include Wulari Bukar, Gangala, Anguwar Balowai, Jigide, Kotorima, Lagura Bello, Laguna Fulani among others.

“Several Field Commanders and foot soldiers of the terrorist group have lost their lives, some armoured personnel carriers, Bufallo vehicles mounted with Anti-Aircraft guns, a truck and several Hilux vehicles were destroyed by troops. Also recovered from the fleeing terrorists are a number of Anti-Aircraft guns, General Purpose Machine Guns (GPMG), Rocket Propelled Grenades (RPG) and several AK 47 rifles. Unfortunately though, we lost one soldier in the course of the operation while 10 others have so far been wounded.

“Already, the dislodged and disorganized terrorists are in flight in different directions and running helter-skelter in the expansive forest. There is no longer any respite or sanctuary for them; they will be pursued and tracked down, not minding the daunting challenges in the mission including hundreds of land mines and difficult terrain of the Sambisa forest.

“It should be noted however that the essence of this operation is not to kill everybody in sight. We encourage any of the combatants who is desirous to surrender to come out, as the forest will no more be tenable as a haven for their activities. In the same vein, innocent civilians among those in flight are also encouraged to report themselves to the troops. We will continue to treat civilians in the most professional and humane way.

“We thank all Nigerians for their continued prayers and support and assure them that ‘Never Again’ shall forces of darkness reign supreme in our country.”

This handout picture released by the Nigerian army on April 30, 2015 and taken this week in an undisclosed location in the Sambisa Forest, Borno state, purportedly shows a group of women and children rescued in an operation against the Islamist group Boko Haram. Boko Haram hostages were held in atrocious conditions in the group’s Sambisa Forest stronghold, Nigeria’s military said on April 30 after nearly 500 women and girls were released this week. AFP PHOTO / NIGERIAN ARMY

COAS’ words

Meanwhile, the Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Kenneth Minimah, yesterday in Lagos, stated that the Nigerian Army was working towards bringing insurgency to a close, following the change in the dynamism of the fight against terrorism.

Speaking during the commissioning of the newly refurbished 81 Division Officers’ Mess built by the General Officer Commanding, Major General Tamunomeibi Dibi, the Army Chief stated emphatically that winning the war against insurgency was achievable.

To this effect, he disclosed that the troops would continue to edge further into the Sambisa forest with a view to destroying more terrorist camps and rescuing abducted Nigerians .

He said: “We will continue to push to bring major operations in the fight against insurgency to a close. That is what is achievable and we are working towards that.

“It is our wish that we find the Chibok schoolgirls.”

It’s just in one of the terrorists camps that was destroyed where such number of Nigerians were rescued.

“I am sure that as we edge further into the forest, we will begin to capture more camps. We pray that we rescue more people.”

because every Nigerian looks forward to this”.

Commending the efforts of officers and soldiers whom he said had made enormous sacrifices in ensuring that Nigeria remained a safe, united and stable country, Minimah reassured that the Nigeria Army would continue to do what was in the best interest of the nation in pursuant of its constitutional role. He added that the army would always rise to the occasion wherever and whenever duty called .

He described earlier public opinion of the Nigerian Army’s inability to wage the war against He however added that with the arrival of sophisticated weapons, the dynamism of operation changed, thereby necessitating a positive change in the opinion of Nigerians.

He said, “I know that at a time in the insurgency, the public thought that Army was not doing enough and indeed when the dynamism changed, the opinion also changed. I think as a nation we are also trying to involve a fighting army for the country. Never again will Nigeria walk this path where insurgency and terrorism will come to redefine our oneness and unity as a nation and bring the Nigerian Army to a low level of concern.

He expressed gratitude to President Goodluck Jonathan for what he described as his unwavering support for the Nigerian Army, stating that President Jonathan had in various ways demonstrated a unique leadership and solidarity, which he said boosted the morale of officers and soldiers.

Chad brace up for Boko Haram attack

In a related development, Chadian troops have built barriers at a bridge on the border between Chad and Cameroon while Chadian security forces, wary of deadly Boko Haram jihadists, screen all road users and their property.

“We’re looking for weapons”, a police officer explained at the Ngueuli Bridge on the main road for imports to landlocked Chad, linking the capital N’Djamena to the far north of Cameroon.

Customs officials and security forces searched men, women and children alike for arms being smuggled to the Islamic extremists who have spread terror throughout the region. They also watched out for incoming explosives.

“There are no exceptions,” a policeman said as he fleeces the pockets of a 13-year-old boy. “Have you seen how Boko Haram sends little kamikaze girls to blow themselves up in the middle of crowds? We don’t want that happening here.”

Every day thousands of traders and travellers cross the bridge, which opens at 7:00 am and closes at nightfall. They include children from the Cameroonian border town of Kousseri who go to school in N’Djamena.

Chad, whose battle-hardened troops are leading a four-nation regional offensive against the insurgents, is seeking to prevent Boko Haram attacks on its soil, like in Cameroon and Niger.