Boko Haram: rescued people near Sambisa

The Nigerian Army on Friday handed over 65 women and children rescued from suspected terrorists hideouts following the Operation Crackdown on Boko Haram terrorists in Sambisa Forest in Borno.

Brig.-Gen. Victor Ezugwu, the General Officer Commanding (GOC) 7 Division of the Nigerian Army handed over the rescued victims to Gov. Kashim Shettima of Borno at a ceremony in Maiduguri.

Ezugwu said that the rescued victims — 38 women and 27 children, were rescued from communities raided by the military during the operation.

He added that two of the women were Cameroonians, while the rest were Nigerians.

He noted that the army decided to hand them over to the state government for counseling before re-integrating them to their communities.

Gov. Shettima, who received them, commended the army for its bravery and commitment toward ending the Boko Haram menace in the north east.

He said “it is gladening to note that our troops are recording tremendous successes in the operation.

“We believe that in the nearest future, this madness will come to an end.”

The governor, who expressed shock at the condition of the victims, said that the Cameroonians would be handed over to the authorities in their country, while the rest would be rehabilitated by the state government.

“We will relocate them to a safe environment for counseling before reuniting them with their communities.

“We are lucky to have a number of UN organisations on ground who will counsel them.”

Shettima also promised to provide anti-natal care to 12 pregnant woman among the victims to ensure they were in good health.