Over 700 captives of Boko Haram have escaped from captivity after the Nigerian army claimed series of its operations have weakened the base of the militant group.
The Nigerian army on Monday said those who fled from captivity came from islands in Lake Chad.
An army spokesperson, Col Timothy Antigha has said that the captives have now arrived in the town of Monguno, in Borno state, north-eastern part of the country.
In a Facebook post Col Antigha said those freed include “farmers, fishermen and members of their families who were hitherto held by Boko Haram terrorists as farm workers”.
According to him recent operation was focused on “destroying Boko Haram infrastructure and logistics; such as communication centres, fabrication yards, bomb making equipment, vehicles and other means of sustenance”.
“The ensuing collapse of their command structure and means of survival have therefore triggered the abandonment of the islands and escape of the abductees,” he said in the post.
Those who escaped are now being profiled to clear out potential militants hidden among them.
Millions have been displaced by the activities of Boko Haram over the years with the Nigerian government promising to defeat the group.
Source: Africafeeds.com
