TheCable

The Islamic State in West Africa Province (ISWAP) has released Abubakar Idris, a senior protection assistant with the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR).

In January, Idris, also known as Alooma, was abducted by insurgents along Damaturu-Maiduguri road in Borno state.

According to security sources, two operatives of the Department of State Services (DSS), who were also abducted along the Maiduguri-Damaturu expressway, were released earlier.

Idris is said to have been taken for a medical checkup in Maiduguri, before he will be handed over to his family.

The source also stated Muazu Bawa, a businessman who was kidnapped along the road by the insurgents, was released alongside eight other captives — all undergoing debriefing by the military.

The military is, however, yet to make an official announcement on the development.

In April, suspected members of ISWAP were reported to have stolen about two mine-resistant ambush protected (MRAP) vehicles from the Nigerian Army.

On June 7, Bashir Magashi, minister of defence, had also spoken on the activities of insurgents in the north, and said the main concern of the nation’s security agencies is the terror activities in the north-east, particularly that of ISWAP.