Suspected Boko Haram terrorists have released 416 women and children abducted from Ngoshe community in Gwoza Local Government Area of Borno State.
The development was confirmed on Sunday by the President of the Borno South Youth Alliance (BOSYA), Samaila Kaigama, who disclosed that the captives regained their freedom on June 6.
Speaking with reporters, Kaigama said BOSYA played a key role in facilitating the release through sustained engagement and advocacy.
“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 outcome, Kaigama added:
“We are happy and grateful that through our efforts, our persistent cries, and long discussions, the results are now being seen.”
He urged the Federal Government, Borno State Government, and relevant local authorities to ensure thorough screening and rehabilitation of the released captives before reintegration into their communities.
Attempts to get an official reaction from the Borno State Commissioner for Information and Internal Security, Usman Tar, were unsuccessful, as calls placed to him were not answered as of the time of filing this report.
BOSYA had previously disclosed on April 10 that it was serving as an intermediary between the insurgents and the victims’ families after Boko Haram released footage showing the abducted women and children.
The victims were taken during a March 4 attack on Ngoshe, when insurgents reportedly overran a military base, set operational vehicles ablaze, scattered security personnel, killed an unspecified number of residents, and abducted scores of civilians.
