TROOPS of the 7 Division, Nigerian Army, were, on Saturday, detailed to Sambisa Forest, to search and rescue over 200 missing Chibok schoolgirls abducted at Government Girls Secondary School, Chibok, one year ago.

A top security official authorised to speak to the press on the ongoing search and rescue operation, told the Nigerian Tribune on Monday that “the army hopes to ends the Boko Haram crises and rescue the Chibok girls before May 29, as stated by the National Security Adviser.”

He said the sustained aerial bombardment by the Nigerian Air Force (NAF) for weeks now had provided ground for the military to move in for search and rescue operation, with the hope of liberating some communities believed to have been taken over by the terrorists and also the rescue of the abducted Chibok girls.

He said although there was no evidence made available on the position of the Chibok girls since the rumour that they were last seen in Gwoza, it was believed that if going by the rumour and the time the military moved into Gwoza to recapture it, the Chibok girls might not be far from being rescued.

“There are also rumour that some of the girls might have been killed during one of the bombardments in Gwoza and Bama, but there is hope of rescuing the survivors still in custody of their abductors.

“Sambisa forest is now seen as the likely area the girls might be kept, which is why the military is now ready to move in and see what would obtain in a couple of days,” he said.