Boko Haram releases abducted police women, UNIMAID lecturers

THREE University of Maiduguri (UNIMAID) staff abducted by suspected Boko Haram terrorists in Magumeri, Borno State, and ten women kidnapped during separate ambushes have been freed.

The three made up of two geologists and their driver were captured by one of the factions of Boko Haram last year.

Also, the women some of whom are policewomen were going to bury some of their own a sergeant who died of natural causes in Lassa when their convoy was ambushed on Damboa road, by the insurgents last year and they were taken into captivity.

Presidency sources say their release followed series of clandestine negotiations as directed by President Mohammad Buhari which was facilitated by the International Committee of the Red Cross ICRC.

All the thirteen rescued persons are in the custody of the members of the Directorate of state security DSS and are on their way to Abuja as at the time of filing this report.

Sources say that in anticipation of their arrival at the DSS headquarters, a team of doctors and psychologists have been placed on standby for immediate profiling and possible deradicalization since its almost a year they were abducted am taken by the outlawed insurgents.

The Department of State Services, DSS  on Saturday briefed President Muhammadu Buhari on the release, through negotiations, of three UNIMAID lecturers abducted by suspected Boko Haram terrorists in Magumeri, Borno State.

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Meanwhile the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) Saturday facilitated the handover from Boko Haram to the Nigerian military of ten women including female police officers and three staff of the university of Maiduguri.

A statement from the ICRC said that the transfer was made possible as a result of the normal task of ICRC acting as a neutral intermediary, and carrying out requests of parties to the ongoing armed conflict.

“We are so pleased that these 13 people are free and will be able to see their families again,” said Patrick Youssef, deputy regional director for Africa.

“The ICRC was not involved in any negotiations that led to the handover of the 13 people. The armed opposition handed the 13 people over to ICRC representatives who transported them to Nigerian authorities. This action was similar to what the ICRC did in October 2016 and May 2017, when we transported the released ‘Chibok girls’ to Nigerian officials.

“There are many people missing or being held against their will due to the conflict. This creates untold trauma and suffering, for families across the Lake Chad region who must live with the daily uncertainty and anguish of not knowing the fate or whereabouts of their loved ones. We hope that these people, too, will get to return to their families soon.”

The ICRC remains ready to provide similar humanitarian services in the future when asked by relevant parties to the conflict.