Troops ‘rescue’ 234 more women from Sambisa

The Nigerian army says it rescued 234 women and children from Sambisa forest, a stronghold of Boko Haram in Borno state, on Thursday.

Chris Olukolade, director of defence information, said the victims were rescued through the Kawuri and Konduga end of the forest.

Olukolade added that the freed captives are currently undergoing screening with about 300 hostages that regained freedom earlier in the week.

“This set in addition to the previous individuals earlier rescued during the ongoing operation in the area,” he said.

“The assault on the forest is continuing from various fronts and efforts are concentrated on rescuing hostages of civilians and destroying all terrorists camps and facilities in the forest.”

On Thursday, President Goodluck Jonathan, expressed delight with the military operation in the area, saying he believes that all Nigerian territories under the control of the insurgents would have been recovered before he hands over power to the incoming government of Muhammadu Buhari.