Frees 5,000  Boko Haram hostages, kills some militants and seize war weapons in north east.

The Nigerian army  and members of the local vigilante group on Saturday, June 25, 2016 freed 5,000 people held hostage by the terrorist group Boko Haram,  killed six of Boko Haram militants, and recovered from them weapons, ammunition and transport equipment like motorcycles,  Premium Times reported.

The army’s major gains against Boko Haram took place following raids in camps around Mafa, a local government headquarter about 40 kilometres  from Maiduguri, the Borno State capital in north eastern Nigeria. Army spokesman, Colonel Sani Usman in a statement declared that, “Troops of 21 Brigade and Civilian JTF today (June 25, 2016) conducted a fighting patrol to Zangebe, Maiwa, Algaiti and Mainari villages in which they killed 6 Boko Haram terrorists and wounded several others.

The troops also liberated over 5,000 persons held hostages by Boko Haram terrorists and recovered five motorcycles and similar number of bicycles,” Premium Times quoted. He said a policeman, a soldier and member of the Civilian JTF who sustained injuries during the battle have been moved to the Maiduguri hospital. The body of the dead vigilante has also been moved to the Maiduguri hospital, he said.

The statement further disclosed that, “Similarly, troops of 7 Division Garrison Rapid Deployment Force (RDF) II, in conjunction with some of elements of Mobile Police Force and Civilian JTF today also conducted Boko Haram terrorists clearance operations at Masu Yiwa, Ladin Buta, Bazaka, Kesa Gala, Tabla, Fahinde, Shirori, Gizina, Maska Aribe, Maska and Maska Lawanti villages, all in Mafa Local Government Area of Borno State.

The army unfortunately registered some casualties as Sani Usman said, “During the clearance operations, the troops encountered Boko Haram terrorists at Maska Lawanti in which they killed two terrorists and recovered two motorcycles.”