Troops hand over 350 rescued hostages in Sambisa forest to Borno government

Troops of the Nigerian Army have rescued 350 people during a clearance operation at the Sambisa forest in Borno.

In a statement on Thursday, the army said the troops of Operation Hadin Kai handed over the rescued victims to the Borno government on May 20.

“In a significant milestone achieved by the Joint Task Force North East (NE) Operation HADIN KAI (OPHK), the Headquarters Theatre Command has handed over 350 rescued civilians to the Borno State Government on May 20, 2024, at Maimalari cantonment in Maiduguri,” the statement reads.

“The civilians, comprising 6 adult males, 135 females, and 209 children, were rescued during a clearance and offensive operations by troops of OPHK in Sambisa forest.”

While commending the troops for their efforts, Kenneth Chigbu, deputy theatre commander, said the personnel demonstrated professionalism while carrying out the operation.

Chigbu commended the international and local partners as well as the Borno government for their support of the military operations in the north-east region.

Hajjiya Y’arbauchi, director of social welfare at the ministry of women affairs in Borno, who received the victims, commended the military for its coordinated efforts.

Y’arbauchi said the rescued victims would be taken to the internally displaced persons (IDP) camp for “profiling, medical checks, and skill acquisition training before reuniting with their families”.

“This rescue adds to the 44 persons recently handed over to the Borno state government by OPHK, demonstrating the military’s commitment to protecting civilians and defeating terrorism in the region,” she added.