Mass Liberation: Borno Youth Leader Confirms Safe Return of 416 Captives Held by Boko Haram

One of the largest mass-abduction crises in Borno State’s recent memory has come to an end following the sudden release of 416 Ngoshe community members by suspected Boko Haram terrorists. The mass liberation of the vulnerable women and children marks a critical turn in the ongoing security operations along the volatile Mandara Mountain axis.

Confirming the development to PUNCH Online on Sunday, the President of the Borno South Youth Alliance, Samaila Kaigama, said the captives were released on June 6.

Previous reports from April 10 indicated that BOSYA has been in communication with the press and serves as an intermediary between the terrorist group and the affected victims. This was when Boko Haram displayed the abducted victims.

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

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

Samaila called on the Federal Government, Borno State Government, and the relevant local government authorities to ensure proper screening of the released captives.

Efforts to obtain comment from the state Commissioner of Information and Internal Security, Usman Tar proved abortive as several calls put across to him went unanswered as of press time.

It will be recalled that on March 4, PUNCH Online reported that the group attacked a military base in Ngoshe, burning operational vehicles, dispersing security forces, killing an unspecified number of people, and abducting several others.