The Nigerian Army on Wednesday said it had rescued at least 338 hostages, including 192 children and 138 females, held captive by the Islamic jihadist group, Boko Haram.
Army spokesman Sani Kukasheka Usman said at least 30 terrorists were killed in the raid on Boko Haram terrorist camps in the villages of Bulajilin and Manawashe, located near the Sambisa forest in restive north eastern Borno province, according to Sahara Reporters.
Troops Cleared More Boko Haram Terrorists Camps And Rescues Abductees pic.twitter.com/nbcsmtIqpB
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"Troops carried out a successful raid on camps on Tuesday at the northeastern villages of Bulajilin and Manawashe, along Bita and Damboa road," Usman, who is acting director of the army public relations, said in a statement, according to TV360Nigeria.
"The rescued persons which comprised eight males, 138 females and 192 children, have since been evacuated," he said.
Soldiers also recovered a huge cache of arms and ammunition including General Purpose Machine Gun and 2 Dane Guns, 150 rounds of 7.62mm (NATO) and 6 boxes of 7.62mm (NATO) during the raid, according to Pulse Nigeria.
"The successful clearance operations and ambushing of the terrorists has further degraded them and saved the lives of so many innocent victims of their suicide bombings," said Usman, according to News24 Nigeria.
Nigeria's armed forces have been fighting a decisive battle against home grown insurgent group Boko Haram, which recently declared its allegiance to ISIS, and has claimed a series of successes.
