The Headquarters Theatre Command, Joint Task Force North East Operation HADIN KAI (OPHK), on Monday, handed over 75 rescued civilians to the Borno State Government (BOSG).
The kidnapped hostages, comprising 34 women, seven adult males, and 34 children, were recently rescued by troops from the terrorists’ dungeon during intensive offensive operations in the Sambisa Forest.
The hand over of the rescued persons was done by the Theatre Commander Major General Waidi Shaibu at Maimalari Military Cantonment Maiduguri, the Borno State capital,
The Acting Deputy Director, Army Public Relations, Headquarters Theatre Command Operation HADIN KAI, Captain Reuben Kovangiya, disclosed this in a statement on Monday.
Major General Waidi Shaibu said OPHK remained committed to achieving its mandate of facilitating the restoration of normalcy in the North East region to boost Socio-economic activities in the area.
General Shaibu, who was represented by the Deputy Theatre Commander, Brigadier General Anthony Okpodu, noted that the rescue was achieved during the recent clearance operations conducted by troops of 21 Special Armoured Brigade and 199 Special Forces Battalion in the Sambisa Forest.
He added that the operation led to the neutralization of several terrorists, clearance of enclaves in Ukuba, Njimia, Sabil Huda, Garin Falluja and Gobara amongst others, as well as destruction of their life supporting structures.
He stressed that the troops also vaccinated the rescued children, in line with World Health Organization Reaching Inaccessible Children, while providing immediate medical care to the adults. General Waidi thanked the BOSG under the leadership of Prof. Babagana Umara Zulum, for its continuous support to OPHK.
Receiving the rescued persons, the Commissioner for Women Affairs and Social Development Borno State, Hajjiya Zuwaira Gambo, represented by the Director Social Welfare and Development, Mrs. Aishatu Shetima, appreciated the military for the milestone achievements.
She thanked the Governor of Borno State for the non-kinetic approach, assuring that the rescued persons would be taken to the intermediate centre, where they would be provided with livelihood support, counselling, mental health and psycho-social support, before subsequent tracing and uniting them with their respective families.
The handover ceremony, underscores the collective efforts of OPHK, the BOSG and key stakeholders in stabilising the North East and ensuring safety, as well as the wellbeing of civilians affected by insurgency.
