TheCable

Six women and nine children, abducted by suspected Boko Haram insurgents in separate incidents that occurred in October 2020 and May 2021, have escaped from captivity.

Zuwaira Gambo, Borno commissioner for women affairs, said the children were abducted alongside their mothers in communities in the state and neighbouring Adamawa.

Gambo, who presented the women and children on Monday to Babagana Zulum, governor of Borno, said three women — Maryam Ishaya with one child, Rachel Simon with two children and Esther Ayuba with two children –were abducted from Takulashi village in Chibok LGA of Borno on October 3, 2020.

She said the remaining three women — Alheri Ezekiel with two children, Victoria Andrew, and Victoria James with two children — were abducted from Cofure village in Hong LGA of Adamawa on May 5, 2021.

According to the commissioner, the women and children escaped from captivity in Buni-Yadi axis in Yobe state and had to trek for six days to reach Damboa town in Borno.

Zulum, while receiving them, said the state government is doing everything possible to ensure speedy rehabilitation of victims of insurgency.

“I am very happy to receive you, my daughters, after you fell prey to Boko Haram terrorists. We thank God Almighty for rescuing and protecting you from the hands of the terrorists,” he said.

He also called for sustained efforts towards a lasting solution to insurgency and other security challenges facing the nation.