Boko Haram releases 416 ∆bducted women children

Boko Haram releases 416 abducted women children  

Suspected Boko Haram insurgents have released 416 women and children abducted from Ngoshe in Gwoza Local Government Area of Borno State.

The development was confirmed on Sunday by the President of the Borno South Youth Alliance, Samaila Kaigama, who disclosed that the victims regained their freedom on June 6.

Kaigama told journalists that the alliance played a key role in efforts that culminated in the captives’ release.

He said, “BOSYA has secured the release of all the Ngoshe 416women and children. They were released 06 of June.”

He added, “We are happy and grateful that through our efforts, our persistent cries, and long discussions, the results are now being seen.”

Earlier reports indicated that BOSYA had maintained communication with the insurgents and acted as an intermediary between the group and families of the abductees. The organisation was also involved when the terrorists publicly displayed some of the victims in April.

Following the release, Kaigama urged the Federal Government, the Borno State Government and local authorities to conduct thorough screening of the returnees before their reintegration into society.

Attempts to obtain an official reaction from the Borno State Commissioner for Information and Internal Security, Usman Tar, were unsuccessful.

The victims were abducted after insurgents attacked a military formation in Ngoshe on March 4. During the assault, the attackers reportedly set military vehicles ablaze, overran security personnel, killed an unspecified number of people and took several residents hostage.