416 Ngoshe Captives Regain Freedom
The release of 416 Ngoshe women and children has renewed calls for rehabilitation and community reintegration.
Hundreds of Ngoshe Captives including women and children have been released months after an abduction linked to insurgent activities in Borno State.
A total of 416 women and children abducted from Ngoshe community in Gwoza Local Government Area of Borno State have regained their freedom. The development was confirmed on Sunday by Samaila Kaigama, President of the Borno South Youth Alliance (BOSYA).
Kaigama disclosed that all the captives were released on 6 June, describing the outcome as a significant breakthrough after months of efforts to secure their freedom. He said the alliance played an active role in the process through continuous engagement and negotiations aimed at achieving the safe return of the victims.
According to him, “BOSYA has secured the release of all the Ngoshe 416 women and children. They were released 06 of June.”
Kaigama expressed relief over the development and praised the persistence of those involved in seeking the captives’ release. He added, “We are happy and grateful that through our efforts, our persistent cries, and long discussions, the results are now being seen.”
Following the release of the Ngoshe captives, Kaigama called on the Federal Government, Borno State Government, and relevant local authorities to ensure proper screening and rehabilitation for the returnees. He stressed the importance of providing the necessary support to help them reintegrate into society.
The release follows an attack reportedly carried out on 4 March when insurgents targeted a military base in Ngoshe. Reports indicated that operational vehicles were set ablaze, security personnel were dispersed, several people lost their lives, and a number of residents, including the women and children now freed, were taken away.
Attempts to obtain comments from Usman Tar, the Borno State Commissioner for Information and Internal Security, were unsuccessful as calls to his phone reportedly went unanswered at the time of reporting.
What steps should authorities prioritise to support the rehabilitation and reintegration of the released captives?
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