Nigerian Army: We Have Rescued 178 People from Boko Haram

The Nigerian Army announced in a statement that it has successfully rescued 178 citizens, including 101 children, from the extremist group Boko Haram during recent advances against the group. Colonel Tokuro Gwazo, spokesperson for the Nigerian Army, stated on August 2 that 'in (several) offensive operations, 178 people who had been taken hostage by the terrorists were rescued. Among them are 101 children, 67 women, and 10 men.' The operations took place near Aulari, approximately 70 kilometers from Maiduguri, the largest city in northeastern Nigeria. According to a report by Agence France-Presse, the timing details of these operations have not been specified. Colonel Gwazo mentioned that one of the commanders of Boko Haram was also captured during the operations. In recent months, the Nigerian Army has reported several instances of freeing citizens taken hostage by the extremist militia group Boko Haram. Boko Haram, which has pledged allegiance to the so-called Islamic State, is one of the most violent extremist groups in Africa and poses a security threat not only to Nigeria but also to its neighboring countries. The group's attacks, including suicide bombings and massacres of villagers, have left over 15,000 victims in Nigeria over the past six years. Despite the group's repeated kidnappings, especially of children, women, and girls, global protests against the abduction of more than 280 schoolgirls in northern Nigeria last spring brought it to the forefront. At that time, the United Nations also placed this group on its list of terrorist organizations. In this context, a UN report on the sexual violence and slavery by extremist groups in 2014 indicated that 63 people were killed in bomb explosions found in a Boko Haram camp. The United States has emphasized its support for Nigeria following recent Boko Haram attacks.