The Nigerian Defence Headquarters late Tuesday confirmed that it rescued 200 girls and 93 women from Sambisa Forest in Borno State in a major offensive against the Boko Haram terrorist group.
Sambisa Forest is a large expanse of land, serving as Boko Haram’s operational base.
They were rescued Tuesday afternoon.
It was also learnt that about three major terrorists camps were also destroyed but General Chris Olukolade, the Director of Defence Information, said the operation against the sect was still on-going.
One of the camps destroyed, according to the Defence Headquarters, is the notorious Tokumbere camp located within the forest.
Olukolade said the identities of the freed victims had not been known.
He therefore said it could not be confirmed if any of the rescued girls was among the Chibok schoolgirls kidnapped by the sect from their school over a year ago.
“I can only confirm the rescue this afternoon of 200 girls and 93 women in different camps in the forest.
“We are yet to determine their origin as all the freed persons are now being screened and profiled.
“Please don’t misquote me on their origin. We will provide more details later,” Olukolade said.
The Nigerian government had promised, at the one year anniversary of the abducted Chibok girls, that they would be found and rescued before the handing over date on 29th May.
A first attempt to enter the forest last week was not possible as the Nigerian troops encountered landmines which killed a soldier and some volunteers.
