By Abdul Kareem

Military authorities in Borno, Northeast Nigeria, have rescued 277 women and children from Boko Haram and ISWAP terrorist enclaves, officials announced on Wednesday.

Major General Ken Chigbu, Deputy Theater Commander of Operation Hadin Kai, a joint military counter-insurgency operation, revealed the news at a handover ceremony at the Maiduguri military barracks.

“These women and children were rescued by our troops during Operation Desert Sanity-3 and Operation Lake Sanity-2 around Bama, Dikwa, and Monguno towns in Borno state,” General Chigbu said.

The operations, aimed at clearing terrorist hideouts in the desert and lake areas of the Northeast, resulted in the liberation of these captives, who were found against their will. The rescued individuals were officially handed over to Borno state government officials.

Among the rescued, many were women with children aged six months to ten years. Several women reported having no knowledge of their children’s fathers’ whereabouts or confirmed that their husbands were killed, suggesting they bore children to Boko Haram or ISWAP terrorists.

One of the women, Hadiza, 21, recounted how she was abducted from her community in Michika, Adamawa state, at the age of 11. “They forced me to marry one of them, and I gave birth to these two children. My husband was killed a few months ago. I had family in Michika, but I don’t know if they are still there.”

Maryam Abdullahi, 19, and mother of a 10-month-old baby, shared her ordeal from Jangu, near Bama. “Life was hellish in Jangu. I was forced to marry one of them, who was recently killed. I’m happy to be out of that place and hope to reunite with my family in the Pulka IDP camp.”

After the handover, the rescued group received hijabs and refreshments before being transported to a government rehabilitation center.

The rescued women, children

Receiving the victims on behalf of the Borno government, the commissioner of women’s affairs and social development, Zuwaira Gambo, commended the military for their successful rescue operation, which freed 277 people, including women and children, from captivity.

The commissioner expressed appreciation for the military’s efforts and outlined the support services that will be provided to the rescued individuals.

“The rescued women and children will be taken to a specialised centre where they will receive a range of services, including mental health and psychosocial support, family tracing for reunification, livelihood programmes, and other related services.

“The goal is to provide comprehensive support to help them recover from their traumatic experiences and reintegrate back into their communities.

“We are grateful for the military’s efforts in rescuing these women and children. Their bravery and dedication have saved lives and restored hope to families.”

The military’s operations continue to target insurgent strongholds in an effort to restore peace and security in the region.