Army Confirms Rescue Of One Of Chibok Girls

The Nigerian Army on Wednesday confirmed the rescue of one of the Chibok school girls abducted in 2014 by the Boko Haram insurgents in Borno.

This is contained in a statement issued by the acting Army spokesman, Col. Sani Usman.

According to Usman, the girl, Falmata Mbalala, is among other persons rescued by troops at Baale community near Damboa in Borno.

He, however, did not state when the girl and other hostages were rescued by the troops.

“This is to confirm that one of the abducted chibok school girls, Falmata Mbalala, was among the rescued persons by our troops at Baale near Damboa,’’ the statement quoted Usman as saying.

On the ongoing special operation inside the Sambisa forest, Usman said troops of 7 Division on Tuesday cleared Boko Haram terrorists out of their Njimia camp in Sambisa.

He said the troops had earlier on the same day killed 15 insurgents during an operation to clear their camp located at Alafa area of the forest.

According to Usman, the troops continued their advance through Alafa main, Alafa extension and Alafa Yaga-yaga and cleared Boko Haram terrorists hiding in the area.

He said apart from destroying the camps, the troops rescued 41 hostages who were mostly women and children.

Usman added that the troops also recovered two Dane guns, several vehicles, motorcycles and bicycles belonging to the terrorists.

“One significant aspect of this feat today was the combination of ground forces assault, Nigerian Air Force Jets provision for combat air support and monitoring of the operation.

“The operation was directly supervised by the Acting General Officer Commanding 7 Division, Brig.-Gen. Victor Ezugwu on board Air Force reconnaissance aircraft.

“It is gratifying to note that no casualty was recorded by own troops through the conduct of this operation,’’ the statement said.

 

(NAN)