On April 28, Tuesday, the exciting news made the local headlines that the Nigerian army had stormed Sambisa forest and rescued 293 females.
The Defence Headquarters confirmed the information saying that those freed included 200 girls and 93 women.
This comes less than a week after the military had attacked the infamous hideout of Boko Haram insurgents using warplanes.
Major General Chris Olukolade, the director of defence information, stated that it was yet to be ascertained if the Chibok girls were among the rescued victims. He urged people not to rush with the conclusions.
A new detailed statement was provided by Col S. K. Usman, acting director of army public relations, Vanguard reports.
“This is to inform you that our gallant troops have been making progress in the desired aim of ridding the nation of terrorists and their sanctuaries.
“It is heartwarming to inform you that today (yesterday), troops continued the offensive and cleared four key terrorist camps in Sambisa forest, Borno State. So far, they have destroyed and cleared Sassa, Tokumbere and two other camps in the general area of Alafa, all within the Sambisa forest.
“The troops have also rescued 200 abducted girls and 93 women. They are presently being processed. Similarly, a number of equipment and weapons have been captured. We will send further details and photographs soon.”
The UK’s Independent adds with reference to its intelligence source that the freed females would be screened on April 29, Wednesday, for their identity to be determined.
The source was quoted as saying:
“Now they are excited about their freedom. Tomorrow there will be screenings to determine whether they are Boko Haram wives, whether they are from Chibok, how long they have been in the camps, and if they have children.”
Hopes that the Chibok girls, abducted on April 14, 2014, became rife again last month after one of the escapees said that the children were being kept in Gwoza. Several sources linked their location with the Borno town. Soon Gwoza was reclaimed, however, the girls were not discovered in the area.
The Defence Headquarters confirmed the information saying that those freed included 200 girls and 93 women.
This comes less than a week after the military had attacked the infamous hideout of Boko Haram insurgents using warplanes.
Major General Chris Olukolade, the director of defence information, stated that it was yet to be ascertained if the Chibok girls were among the rescued victims. He urged people not to rush with the conclusions.
A new detailed statement was provided by Col S. K. Usman, acting director of army public relations, Vanguard reports.
“This is to inform you that our gallant troops have been making progress in the desired aim of ridding the nation of terrorists and their sanctuaries.
“It is heartwarming to inform you that today (yesterday), troops continued the offensive and cleared four key terrorist camps in Sambisa forest, Borno State. So far, they have destroyed and cleared Sassa, Tokumbere and two other camps in the general area of Alafa, all within the Sambisa forest.
“The troops have also rescued 200 abducted girls and 93 women. They are presently being processed. Similarly, a number of equipment and weapons have been captured. We will send further details and photographs soon.”
The UK’s Independent adds with reference to its intelligence source that the freed females would be screened on April 29, Wednesday, for their identity to be determined.
The source was quoted as saying:
“Now they are excited about their freedom. Tomorrow there will be screenings to determine whether they are Boko Haram wives, whether they are from Chibok, how long they have been in the camps, and if they have children.”
Hopes that the Chibok girls, abducted on April 14, 2014, became rife again last month after one of the escapees said that the children were being kept in Gwoza. Several sources linked their location with the Borno town. Soon Gwoza was reclaimed, however, the girls were not discovered in the area.
No comments:
Post a Comment