As troops intensify efforts to clear liberated communities of pockets of Boko Haram members, they continue to rescue victims abducted by the terrorists. This time, however, among the rescued were two sorry looking children desperately in need of medical help as a result of malnourishment and an older man, Bulama Bukar, whose right hand was cut off by the group about a year ago in Sambisa forest for stealing food for his family.

In a related development, another batch of eight members of the Boko Haram sect have reportedly handed themselves over to the Nigerian military and are currently being questioned.

The rescued people are being taken care of by the military pending their handover to the National Emergency Management Agency, NEMA.

According to a statement issued by army spokesperson, Sani Usman, troops captured Jerre and Dipchari villages and cleared camps occupied by the insurgents.

“The advancing troops in the Bama axis have rescued yet another 62 people fleeing from Bitti and Pulka. The troops are also combing all known enclaves of the terrorists within Bama, Banki and Pulka general area. In addition, due to the offensive action of the military, another fleeing 22 women, 15 men and 40 children arrived Bama today,” the statement said, adding that the victims are providing useful information to the soldiers.

The eight Boko Haram members surrendered to troops from 21 Brigade Nigerian Army and are being processed for more information, Usman said.

The army spokesman also disclosed that engineers from the Nigerian Army are almost done with the construction of the bridge linking Maiduguri and Gamboru Ngala which was blown by the insurgents.