The Theater Command Operation Hadin Kai /JTF North East, Theater Command Headquarters, Maimalari Cantonment Maiduguri has rescued 350 persons during a 10-day clearance operation in Sambisa forest.
The rescued persons comprised of women, children and men who were handed over to the Borno state government after screening and profiling by the military.
The commander, Major General Waidi Shuaibu, while handing over the rescued persons, Monday evening at the training ground of Maimalari Barrack said they were held in the Sambisa forest against their wish.
Represented by the Deputy Theater Commander, Major General Chigbu, he stated that the rescued persons comprised of six men, 135 women and 209 children who were transported to the handing over venue in three army trucks.
Among them were young and teenage girls carrying babies born from suspected forced marriages in Sambisa forest, including a blind woman who was assisted by a soldier.
“We don’t involve innocent, vulnerable people like these in the fight against Boko Haram. Upon their arrival at the military barracks in Maiduguri, efforts were made to feed them and conduct medical evaluations to assess their needs.
“The military operation to rescue them involved collective security agency coordination in collaboration with the local and international partners.
“We thank everybody, especially the Borno state government, for the support and cooperation in our quest to finish the war and return peace back to the North- east region soon,” Wahidi said.
It will be recalled that on Sunday the Acting General Officer Commanding (GOC) , 7 Division Nigerian Army, Maimalari Cantonment Maiduguri, Brigadier General AGL Haruna, led a team of troops and combatant journalists to the fringes of the Sambisa forest on rescue and recovery mission to wrap up the 10- day operation that resulted in the elimination of several Boko Haram terrorists, the destruction of their enclaves and rescue of the 350 persons.
The GOC commended the troops for their bravery and urged the remaining members of the Boko Haram insurgents to surrender before they were captured by the military.
The representative of the Borno state government, Commissioner of Women Affairs and Social Development, Hajiya Zuwaira Gambo, represented by the manager, State Rehabilitation Center, Bulumkutu Maiduguri, Hajiya Asabe Mohammed Yar Bauchi, thanked the Nigerian military and its partners for the rescue of the innocent women, children and men.
She said the rescued persons will be accommodated, deradicalised, rehabilitated and trained in various skills acquisition and entrepreneurship before finally being reintegrated back into the society or reunited with their families and relations.
