Hundreds of Boko Haram hostages freed; 100 militants killed

He said that 350 others including five Cameroonian girls were rescued in a joint operation by troops of 7 Division Garrison, 112 Battalion, Army Headquarters Support Group and Armed Forces Special Forces at Gajibo, Maula, Gamai, Gamare, Maiwa, Warsale, Tangli, Tushi, Sowa, Hasanari, Changuwa, Malamaja, and Marya in Dikwa and Mafa Local Government Areas.

There was no immediate comment from Nigeria or independent confirmation of the operation or toll. They would not be in a combat role.

The group has also struck repeatedly in parts of Cameroon, Niger and Chad.

Since then, the new president of Nigeria Muhammadu Buhari visited last July in Washington, where he was warmly welcomed.

The New York Times earlier reported that the advisers would be based in Maiduguri, the most affected city in the northeast.

But the defense official downplayed the speed of any deployment, and said the operation was still being discussed.

“I don’t think anyone is ready to approve anything today”. “Recommendations have been made, they are still being evaluated”.

“The types of mission sets envisioned under these proposals would likely involve a platoon-sized element operating in a strictly advise-and-assist capacity, much like the previous operations suspended in Nigeria in 2014”, said a statement from Africa Command.

And military training program on its soil has resumed, said the U.S. official. “Our mission is always to enable African partner nations to lead the fight against violent extremist organizations via cooperative, regional approach”.

“The troops cleared the terrorists camp which was equipped with medical facility, Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs) factory, fuel dump, mechanical workshop, generators and several water points”, Mr. Usman, a colonel, said.

“It could indeed encourage more attacks on Maiduguri and its vicinity, but the presence is too minimal to become a “dog whistle” for terrorists”, he said. “Some see it as the Nigerian army to admitting it is not able to do the job, others see it as another form of foreign intervention”.

The Boko Haram militants gained global attention when they kidnapped almost 300 schoolgirls from the Nigerian town of Chibok.