The Deputy Director, Army Public Relations, 8 Division, Col. Timothy Antigha, disclosed in a statement issued in Maiduguri.
Antigha
said that over 700 persons abducted by Boko Haram insurgents had
escaped from their captors and received by the 242 Battalion, Monguno.
He said the abductees including males, females and children were forced to work as farm labourers by the insurgents.
He said that two women among the freed persons delivered safely at the holding facility.
The
army spokesman added that the intensified onslaught against the
insurgents under Operation Deep Punch II had weakened and decimated
their positions, which enabled the persons to escape.
“Over
700 farmers, fishermen and members of their families hitherto held by
Boko Haram terrorists as farm workers have fled the various islands in
Lake Chad to Monguno.
“The exodus of the
abductees is not unconnected to a follow-up operation conducted a few
days ago to exploit the gains of the recent successful Operation DEEP
PUNCH 2 in Chikun Gudu and adjourning localities.
“The follow-up operation conducted by the Nigerian Air Force and 38 Task Force Artillery Brigade, 8 Division, Operation LAFIYA DOLE,
was targeted at destroying Boko Haram infrastructure and logistics such
as communication centers, fabrication yards, bomb making equipment,
vehicles and other means of sustenance.
“The
ensuing collapse of their command structure and means of survival
triggered the abandonment of the islands and escape of the abductees to
Monguno.
“Profiling of the displaced
escapees is ongoing to ensure that no terrorist takes advantage of the
situation to sneak into the town.
“Preliminary
investigation will focus on finding out where wanted Boko Haram
commanders were hiding. Two pregnant women among the abductees gave
birth yesterday in the holding centers”.
According
to him, several persons were freed from Boko Haram insurgents following
military offensive in Chikun Gudu community, Monguno.
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