In the early hours of today, June 22, troops of 81 Battalion and 251
Task Force Battalion deployed at an observation post, sighted a group of
persons approaching its check point at Liwanti village along
Damboa-Bulabulin road, Borno State. On arrival, they were received and
treated humanely based on International Humanitarian Laws and Rules of
Engagement.However, after preliminary investigation, it was discovered that the 69
of them were indeed family members of Boko Haram terrorists escaping
from Sambisa. Out of that number, 7 of them are men, 18 women, 7 grown
up boys and 37 children.
At the initial state of interrogation, they claimed to have escaped from
Boko Haram terrorists captivity at Ngwalimari village in Sambisa forest
general area. But further interrogation revealed otherwise. The troops
recovered 15 bicycles, 5 Dane Guns and other personal effects from them
and further/thorough investigation is ongoing to ascertain other
information from them.