The Theatre commander of the military operation in the North East, ‘Operation Lafiya Dole’ has said that troops have rescued 605 persons from the captivity of Boko Haram in the last one week.

Lucky Irabor, a Major General, also said that 15 terrorists were killed in various encounters within the same period.

Irabor made this known during a press conference in Maiduguri on Wednesday, explaining that the rescued victims were made up of 69 adult males, 180 adult females, 227 male children and 129 female children.

He added that with the launch of “operation rescue finale”, the troops were more determined than ever to clear the entire North East of terrorists as well as rescue all those being held hostage.

Irabo stated that the troops have killed several Boko Haram terrorists and recovered many arms and ammunitions at various locations within the theater of operation, while some fleeing Boko Haram insurgents were also arrested in various places.

He added sadly that an officer of the army, a lieutenant colonel, Otobrise Umusu, was killed in one of the attacks last week.

The Army commander explained that Umusu was fatally injured in one of the attacks on his position and died on the way to the hospital.

Irabor called on the general public to be wary of fleeing Boko Haram terrorists who are infiltrating towns and cities seeking menial jobs and looking for ways to wreck havoc on innocent Nigerians.

He once again called on the terrorists to take advantage of the safe haven corridor and surrender their weapons, promising that they will be treated humanely in line with international law.