160 more persons have been rescued from Boko Haram’s Sambisa forest stronghold, according to latest information just reaching our newsroom from the battlefield.

Acting Director, Army Public Relations, Colonel Sani Usman also said two major combat tanks and high calibre ammunitions used by the Boko Haram terrorists were recovered while many others were destroyed.

Nine camps belonging to the terrorists in the former game reserve that is Sambisa, were also destroyed by the military.

Sani added that, “the troops have also rescued additional women and children. They have been evacuated to a safety zone for further processing.

“During the encounter unfortunately we lost a soldier, while 4 others were wounded in action. The troops have also killed several Boko Haram field commanders and foot soldiers and destroyed 2 Armoured Personnel Carriers, 2 Buffalo vehicles mounted with Anti-Aircraft Guns, a truck and several Hilux vehicles.

“The gallant soldiers also recovered 1 Anti-Aircraft Gun, 1 General Purpose Machine Gun, 1 Rocket Propelled Grenade and several AK-47 rifles. Sadly, 1 woman died and 8 other women sustained gun shot wounds.

“So far, the troops have destroyed 9 terrorist camps in the forest. This is in addition to the 4 destroyed yesterday. The destroyed camps include Wulari Bukar, Gangala, Anguwar Bakwai and Jigide. Others include Kotorima, Lagara Bello and Lagara Fulani among others.

“I am glad to say that troops’ morale is very high as they are poised to accomplish the task of destroying all terrorist camps and rescuing all those held hostage by the terrorists”.

It will be recalled that the military said it rescued some 293 women and girls from Sambisa forest on Tuesday. This brings to 453 the number of persons reportedly rescued by the military from Boko Haram’s stranglehold thus far.

The rescued are undergoing profiling and screening for identification, according to military sources.