Nigerian troops rescue over 330 women, children held by Boko Haram

Nigerian troops have rescued 338 captives, almost all children and women, from Boko Haram camps in a northeastern forest, the military said Wednesday. Thirty extremists were killed Tuesday in attacks on two camps on the fringes of the Islamic insurgents’ holdout in Sambisa Forest. Separately troops ambushed and killed four suspects on a bombing mission in northeastern Adamawa state. Hundreds of people died in suicide bombing attacks mainly targeting mosques and markets in recent months. The military posted photographs of several guns and ammunition it said were seized in the attacks, along with images of bodies of alleged insurgents.

The raid targeted “suspected Boko Haram terrorist camps at Bulajilin and Manawashe villages” on the edge of the Sambisa forest.

The Nigerian Army said.

Nigerian troops have rescued hundreds of Boko Haram captives this year but none of the 219 girls kidnapped from a school in Chibok town. Boko Haram is believed to be holding the abducted Chibok girls in its Sambisa forest stronghold. Their audacious kidnapping on April 14 2014 sparked international anger, with strong condemnation of then president Goodluck Jonathan for his slow response to the girls’ plight. Pictures released by the army following the operation showed mostly women with some of them carrying babies. The freed hostages have been moved to a camp for displaced persons in Mubi in nearby Adamawa state, the army said.

Africa Boko Haram