The Nigerian Army said it had apprehended three suspected Boko Haram commanders and rescued 1, 275 hostages after a joint clearance operation with Cameroonian troops along Nigeria-Cameroon border in Borno.
Col. Sani Usman, Acting Director of Public Relations of Nigerian Army, said this in a statement issued to newsmen on Tuesday in Maiduguri.
“Troops of 152 and 155 Task Force Battalions of Operation Lafiya Dole in conjunction with troops of Multinational Joint Task Force (MNJTF) from Cameroon, conducted a massive joint clearance operation on suspected Boko Haram terrorists camps on Monday along Nigeria-Cameroon borders.
“The unprecedented clearance operation swept through over 10 suspected terrorists hideouts along the border,’’ Usman said.
He said that 22 suspected terrorists lost their lives during the operation.
“Twenty two terrorists were killed, three Ameers (terrorists commanders) were arrested and 1,275 abducted persons were rescued,’’ Usman said.
He named those apprehended as Malam Lawal Abba, Malam Hisna and Malam Gana Shatte.
“During the operation, the troops cleared Nbaga, Bula, Dabube, Ybiri, Greya and Suduwa towns and other adjoining settlements.
“The towns and settlements were occupied by fleeing Boko Haram terrorists who escaped from villages previously cleared by troops of the Nigerian Army.
“The troops also rescued 1,275 persons held hostage by the terrorists.
“The rescued persons are being administered and screened by 152 Task Force Battalion pending onward movement to Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) camps.
“It is gratifying to note that the operation was a huge success as there was no casualty or injury on the side of the troops,’’ Usman said.