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| Prof. Regina Musa of the American University in Yola, feeding one of the children rescued from Sambisa Forest at the Malkohi Refugee Camp ... on Wednesday |
The Director, Defence Information, Maj. Gen. Chris Olukolade, said that the Special Forces have rescued an additional 25 women and children during a raid on the dreaded Sambisa Forest.
Olukolade also disclosed in a statement on Wednesday that during the operation, the soldiers destroyed seven camps which were being used by the insurgents for their training and operations.
The Defence spokesman said that some of the insurgents were killed during the encounter with the troops but he did not give the exact number of those killed during the gun duel with the Boko Haram fighters.
He added that the soldiers had to beat the hurdle of landmines planted around the camps to carry out the operation.
He said that the troops captured four camps known for notoriety in Alafa and others in Rogo Fulani and Laraga.
Olukolade said that the soldiers recovered weapons from the insurgents including rocket propelled grenade, anti-aircraft guns, and operational vehicles.
However, Olukolade said that four soldiers were wounded in the operation and were being given medical treatment.
He said, “Seven additional terrorists’ camps were yesterday (Tuesday) destroyed as more terrorists also died in the ongoing onslaught to flush them out of the Sambisa Forest.
“An additional 25 women and children were rescued in the process.
“The troops scaled many landmines in continuation of the assault on the bases of the terrorists, captured camps which include the four notorious Alafa camps as well as those in Rogo Fulani, Lareaga, and others used as training camps in the forest.
“Various weapons including rocket propelled grenades, anti-aircraft guns and a number of vehicles were either captured or destroyed during the operation.
“Four soldiers were injured and have been evacuated for treatment….”
Olukolade, who said that the troops were in high morale and fighting spirit, said the army was intensifying its operation against the insurgents.
Meanwhile, the Taroh community of Kadarko in Wase Local Government Area of Plateau State has accused the Special Task Force on security in Jos and the 3rd Armored Division of the Nigeria Army of carrying out genocide against them.
The community members, through their socio-cultural and political group, Ngwang Ishi Otarok, alleged that the military was out to annihilate them.
They claimed that soldiers invaded Taroh communities of Kadarko, Mutum Biyu, Wadatan Arewa and Wadatan Kasuwa, all in the Wase Local Government Area of Plateau State, following an alleged killing of six soldiers by unidentified militiamen.
In the reprisal that ensued, the soldiers were alleged to have killed 39 people and injured more than 150 others.
The soldiers were also said to have razed down many buildings and farms, destroying livestock worth millions of naira in the process.
While addressing newsmen in Jos on Wednesday, the NIO described the raid as unprecedented.
The Chairman of the group, Mr. Lohbut Jangle, and Secretary, Mr. Zingfa Danbaki, who signed the text of the briefing, said military vehicles conveyed armed men to Wase town. They said the soldiers, who were mobilised by the 3rd Armored Division of the Nigerian Army, Jos, unleashed mayhem on the people.
In the statement entitled, “Planned genocide against the Tarok race by the Nigerian Army and the Plateau State government,” the groupd said their people had suffered attacks for two consecutive days for no just cause.
They further alleged, “A notable trend in this unbridled, callous, unwholesome impunity is the scenario where even the police and the civil defence officials on duty were shot, killed and burnt at their duty posts.”
Meanwhile, two people were killed in Kakpwis village of Foron District of Barkin Ladi Local Government of Plateau State by unknown gunmen suspected to be Fulani herdsmen.
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