No fewer than 149 persons have been rescued by the Nigerian troops in the ongoing clearance operation against the terrorists group, Boko Haram.
The rescue operation which was carried out at Yerimari-Kura community in Sambisa axis also saw the military killing three insurgents.
Also, five insurgents were captured.
The Deputy Director, Army Public Relations, Col. Onyeama Nwachukwu, made the disclosure in a statement he issued on Sunday.
“Troops of Operation Lafiya Dole have continued to make progress in clearance operations to smoke out Boko Haram insurgents who escaped from their previous stronghold in the Sambisa Forest.
“On Saturday, the troops made further operational exploit into Boko Haram’s hideout at Yerimari-Kura, in a deliberate operation to extricate and rescue hostages held by the insurgents in their hideout.
“In the encounter, troops killed three Boko Haram insurgents and captured five,” said Nwachukwu.
He explained that of those rescued, 54 were women and 95 children.
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He said they were already being profiled and receiving medical attention at the 21 Brigade Medical Centre.
Nwachukwu disclosed too that troops also neutralised two suicide bombers at Mandanari community in Konduga, Borno, when they attempted to infiltrate the community on April 7.
“The suicide bombers were sighted by vigilant troops who challenged them from a safe distance. The patrol engaged them as they refused to halt and ran towards the community, detonating their IEDs.
“Only the suicide bombers were killed in the incident, while three persons who sustained minor injuries are receiving medical attention.”