Nigerian troops have rescued 75 civilians held captive by terrorists in the notorious Sambisa Forest, a longstanding stronghold of insurgent groups in northeastern Nigeria.
During a press briefing in Maiduguri on Monday, Major General W. Shaibu, the General Officer Commanding of the 7th Division of the Nigerian Army, announced that the rescue operation had freed seven adult males, 34 women and 34 children.
The operation, conducted by the 21 Special Armoured Brigade and the 199 Special Forces Battalion under Operation Desert Sanity IV, targeted multiple terrorist enclaves in the dense forest area.
“As part of our ongoing clearance efforts, troops of the 21 Special Armoured Brigade and the 199 Special Forces Battalion under Operation Desert Sanity IV recently conducted successful offensive operations in Sambisa Forest,” said Brigadier General A.L. Akpodu, who represented the GOC at the handover ceremony.
“Key terrorist enclaves in Ukuba, Ujimla, Sabil Huda, Garin, Fajula, and Gobara were cleared, leading to the rescue of 75 civilians, including seven adult males, 34 women, and 34 children.”
According to military officials, the operation dealt a significant blow to the insurgents’ capabilities by destroying their facilities in the forest region.
“The operation significantly degraded enemy capabilities by neutralising insurgents and destroying command and logistics bases, makeshift shelters, weapon caches, and materials used for making improvised explosive devices (IEDs),” Brigadier General Akpodu added.
The rescued individuals received immediate medical and psychological support from the military before being handed over to the Borno State Government for further care and rehabilitation.
Zuwaira Gambo, the Commissioner for Women Affairs and Social Development in Borno State, praised the military’s efforts while receiving the freed captives.
“We are taking them to our centre, where we will provide them with livelihood support, counselling services, mental health and psychosocial support, skills training for the women, and educational services, among others, before reintegrating them into society,” she said.
The successful rescue operation highlights the Nigerian military’s continued campaign against terrorist groups that have plagued the country’s northeastern region for more than a decade.
Sambisa Forest, a vast woodland area in Borno State, has served as a primary hideout for Boko Haram and its offshoots since the insurgency began in 2009, posing significant challenges to security forces due to its difficult terrain and remote location.
