Abuja, May 3 (IANS) A group of 234 women and children were rescued by the Nigerian troops from the northeast Sambisa forest on Thursday, the military said on Saturday.
National military spokesperson Maj. Gen. Chris Olukolade said in a statement on Saturday that those rescued had been evacuated to screening centres, Xinhua news agency reported.
The rescue of 234 women and children is the latest in the military’s effort. On April 28, up to 300 unidentified females were rescued by the troops in the restive Sambisa forest following an operation.
The assault on the forest is continuing from various fronts, the spokesperson added, noting that current efforts were being concentrated on rescuing civilians held hostage and destroying all terrorists camps and facilities in the forest.
About 300 schoolgirls were abducted from the remote Nigerian town of Chibok a year ago. Dozens of the girls escaped but 219 remain missing.
The kidnapping provoked international outrage.