The Nigerian army has freed 178 people, including more than 100 children, who were being held hostage by Boko Haram jihadists, as it carries out a regional offensive aimed at rooting out the insurgency.
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Spokesman Col. Tukur Gusau said that 101 of those freed are children, along with 67 women and 10 men.
Earlier on Sunday, Nigeria’s Air Force said that it conducted strikes on Boko Haram’s hideouts in Bitta village, situated on the southern edge of Sambisa forest, and killed “many” terrorists.
Nigerian troops say they have rescued 178 people, mostly children, from their captivity by Islamic militants Boko Haram.
“This is an opportunity for Benin to express solidary with countries on the front line against the Islamic sect, Boko Haram“.
Nigerian soldiers display a cache of weapons seized from Boko Haram fighters following clashes near the northeastern town of Dikwa, on July 26, 2015.
Maiduguri, the biggest town in northeast Nigeria, is some 20 kilometres north of Malari.
In a move toward activating the force, Nigeria announced on Thursday the appointment of Major General Iliya Abbah as its commander, but significant military operations appear unlikely before the end of the rainy season in September.
Reports from the media quotes Chadian officials as saying that Fanaye is in charge of recruiting Boko Haram terrorists, arms purchases and planning of terrorism targets and operations in Chad and northern Cameroon.
Witnesses said the group attacked the town of Gamboru on Saturday, near the border with Cameroon.
The new Chief of the Air Staff, Air Vice Marshal Sadeeq Abubakar, has pledged to improve NAF fire power in the ongoing fight against Boko Haram.
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Nigeria’s President Muhammadu Buhari has vowed to “spare no effort” to crush Boko Haram which has become the main security threat to Nigeria, Africa’s largest economy.
