Nigerian army captures Boko Haram member, rescues 3-year-old girl

The Nigerian army has rescued a three year old girl from the hands of Boko Haram terrorists at a village in the Kukuwa Local Government Area (LGA) of embattled Borno State.

One Boko Haram member was killed whiles another was captured alive by the troops during a heated encounter.

According to Army spokesperson, Colonel Sani Usman, ‘‘the troops also recovered ammunition and other items from the terrorists; amongst others 1 AK-47 rifle, 3 rifle magazines, 1 Hewlett Packard laptop, 2 External hard drives, a pair military and Nigeria Police camouflage uniform, a camel bag, 3 mini solar panels, assorted charms, fishing nets and soldering iron.

#OPLAFIYA_DOLE troops rescued 3 year old girl from Terrorists in Ma'ala Village. pic.twitter.com/lt4DZJHb8N

— Nigerian Army (@HQNigerianArmy) March 12, 2016

#OPLAFIYA_DOLE troops killed one, captured another Boko Haram terrorist in Ma'ala Village in Kukawa LGA of #Borno. pic.twitter.com/7fvilen7eR

— Nigerian Army (@HQNigerianArmy) March 12, 2016

In another operation, the Army reports that its Quick Reaction Force on a routine fighting patrol had also killed three Boko Haram fighters who were moving on motorcycles along the Kekeno axis linking Dabam Masara.

‘‘During the pursuit, troops killed 2 Boko Haram terrorists and recovered 2 AK-47 rifles, 3 motorcycles and one tear gas from the terrorists. Other items recovered include 4 mobile telephone handsets, assorted sizes of bathroom slippers, food flasks, plastic cups, amongst others,’‘ an Army statement read.

#OPLAFIYA_DOLE TROOPS OF 7 BRIGADE RECORD ANOTHER SUCCESS IN THE NORTH EAST https://t.co/uFKjRM1PYd pic.twitter.com/kypYWUseRN

— Nigerian Army (@HQNigerianArmy) March 12, 2016

Army onslaught since Buhari became President

The Army has intensified combat with Boko Haram since President Muhammadu Buhari came to power. The army and government insists that a ‘technical victory’ had been won against the terrorists who currently are not in charge of any LGA in the three worst hit states, Borno, Yobe and Adamawa.

An operation code named ‘Lafiya Doole’ – Peace is a necessity – has seen the Army take the fight to Boko Haram on land and partly through the Air Force. The Army claims the terrorists are now restricted to the Sambisa forest which the army is clearing gradually.

Boko Haram is fighting for the establishment of an Islamic Caliphate in the country’s north. The group has also allied itself with the Islamic State group which is based in Iraq and Syria but with growing presence in Africa especially in Libya.