Suspected Boko Haram terrorists have released 416 women and children abducted from Ngoshe community in Gwoza Local Government Area of Borno State, bringing relief to families months after the mass kidnapping about 12 weeks ago.
The President of the Borno South Youth Alliance (BOSYA), Samaila Kaigama, confirmed the development on Sunday, saying the captives regained their freedom on Saturday, June 6, following sustained engagement and advocacy by the group.
According to Kaigama, BOSYA had maintained communication with the media and acted as an intermediary between the insurgents and the affected victims since the abductees were first displayed by the terrorist group in April.
“BOSYA has secured the release of all the Ngoshe 416 women and children. They were released on June 6,” he said.
Expressing relief over the development, Kaigama added, “We are happy and grateful that through our efforts, our persistent cries, and long discussions, the results are now being seen.”
He, however, urged the Federal Government, the Borno State Government, and the relevant local government authorities to immediately carry out proper screening and provide necessary support for the released captives before they are reunited with their communities.
Efforts to get official confirmation from the Borno State Commissioner for Information and Internal Security, Usman Tar, were unsuccessful, as several calls placed to his phone were not answered as of the time of filing this report.
LEADERSHIP reports that the release came three months after Boko Haram fighters attacked a military base in Ngoshe on March 4, setting operational vehicles ablaze, forcing security personnel to retreat, killing an unspecified number of people, and abducting scores of residents, including women and children.
