Nigeria Is Winning The War On Boko Haram

The Nigerian Army has freed more than 234 women and children from Boko Haram in the past weeks. The Nigerian military first reported rescuing almost 300 women and children in the Sambisa Forest on Tuesday after deploying ground troops into the forest more than a week ago.

The Nigerian Defense Ministry said in a statement on Friday that the some hostages were rescued on Thursday through the Kawuri and Konduga end of the Sambisa forest.

The Nigerian Army released the first photos of what it said were some of the hundreds of women and children that troops freed amid heavy combat.

President Goodluck Jonathan, whose term ends this month, said Thursday that the Sambisa Forest is the last refuge for the Islamic group and he pledged to “hand over a Nigeria completely free of terrorist strongholds.”

The military said it is screening the girls and women to find out what villages they came from.

Some of the women the soldiers tried to rescue have been trained to shoot at their rescuers, a military spokesman has said, indicating that some might now identify with Boko Haram after months of captivity and forced marriages.

Reports remains unclear if some of the women had willingly joined Boko Haram, or are family members of the extremists.

Still, there has been no announcement yet on whether any of those rescued are the students who were kidnapped from the Chibok school a year ago, a mass kidnapping that outraged much of the world.

The Nigerian Army has received machinery – helicopter and heavy arms – and soldiers from neighbouring nations – Benin, Chad, Cameroon, Niger – throughout its offensive against Boko Haram at the end of January.

Troop commanders said hundreds of Boko Haram insurgents were killed in hours of gun battle.

The Acting Director, Army Public Relations, Colonel Sani Usman, who made the progress of the rescue missions known, said two major combat tanks and high calibre ammunitions used by the Boko Haram terrorists were recovered while many others were destroyed.

The statement reads in full; “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 safety zone for further processing.

“During the encounter unfortunately we lost a soldier, while 4 others were wounded in action. The troops have also killed several Boko Haram field commanders and foot soldiers and destroyed 2 Armoured Personnel Carriers, 2 Buffalo vehicles mounted with Anti-Aircraft Guns, a truck and several Hilux vehicles.

“The gallant soldiers also recovered 1 Anti-Aircraft Gun, 1 General Purpose Machine Gun, 1 Rocket Propelled Grenade and several AK-47 rifles. Sadly, 1 woman died and 8 other women sustained gun shot wounds.

“So far, the troops have destroyed 9 terrorist camps in the forest. This is in addition to the 4 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”.

Meanwhile, the Director of Defense Information, Chris Olukolade, a Major General, will today provide updates on the ongoing counter-terrorism campaign in North-Eastern Nigeria.

Nigeria is winning the war on Boko Haram.