77 Boko Haram militants forced to surrender, 245 hostages rescued

Seventy-seven members of Boko Haram were force to surrender by the Nigerian Army after a joint task force of 122 soldiers cleared an area, rescuing 245 hostages.

The Nigerian military has made further inroads against Boko Haram, forcing 77 militants to surrender and liberating 245 hostages. Reuters

"Nigerian troops deployed in Operation Lafiya Dole and their neighbouring counterparts under the Multinational Joint Task Force have been very busy clearing the remnants of Boko Haram terrorists into their respective areas of responsibilities," Colonel Sani Usman, acting director of Army Public relations, told allafrica.com.

"In the process, they were able to rescue quite a number of abducted persons, arrested suspected Boko Haram terrorists, recovered weapons and equipment."

Among the Boko Haram members that surrendered were 17 men, 16 women, 16 male children and 28 female children.

Boko Haram has been present in Northern Nigeria for almost seven years, seeking to impose its harsh interpretation of Islam on Africa's most populous nation.

Around 20,000 people have died and more than 2.5 million have been displaced as a result of the insurgency.

Last month, more than two years after 276 Chibok schoolgirls were abducted by Boko Haram, two girls were recovered among a further 97 abductees, raising hopes for the remaining group.

On May 14, French President Francois Hollande told a security summit in Nigeria that "[Boko Haram] has been weakened, it's been pushed back, it's been chased around and has given up the territories it was controlling, and as a result it's being even better targeted and fought. However, this terrorist group remains a threat."

related articles
Boko Haram: The rescue of two chibok girls is a \'miracle\', \'we just need 211 more\'
Boko Haram: The rescue of two chibok girls is a 'miracle', 'we just need 211 more'

Boko Haram: The rescue of two chibok girls is a 'miracle', 'we just need 211 more'

Nigeria: Christian man killed for 'blasphemy' as religious violence grows

Nigeria: Christian man killed for 'blasphemy' as religious violence grows

Nigeria: Christian women and children flee deadly attack by Muslim Fulani herdsmen
Nigeria: Christian women and children flee deadly attack by Muslim Fulani herdsmen

Nigeria: Christian women and children flee deadly attack by Muslim Fulani herdsmen

News
The most dangerous book in the world
The most dangerous book in the world

The Bible is powerful. That is why it is feared by regimes who want all power to rest solely with them.

Historic letters from William Wilberforce discovered in University of Chester archives
Historic letters from William Wilberforce discovered in University of Chester archives

A remarkable discovery has been made in the University of Chester’s archives: four early 19th-century letters, including two written by prominent abolitionist William Wilberforce, have been unearthed during an alumni archive project.

Holy Land Christians need support of global Church, says Archbishop of Jerusalem
Holy Land Christians need support of global Church, says Archbishop of Jerusalem

"We need the wider body of Christ to help us to be the church in brutal and damaging times.”

EU Parliament passes resolution calling for protection of Christians in Syria
EU Parliament passes resolution calling for protection of Christians in Syria

“This resolution marks an important step toward building international momentum to protect Christians and other religious minorities in Syria."