Former Senate Leader, Senator Ali Ndume, on Sunday commended the Nigerian military for securing the freedom of 360 women and children abducted from Ngoshe community in Borno State.
The victims, who had been in captivity since March, regained their freedom on Saturday.
The release comes three months after suspected Boko Haram insurgents attacked a military base in Ngoshe on March 4, burning operational vehicles, dispersing security personnel, killing several people and abducting scores of residents.
President of the Borno South Youth Alliance, Samaila Kaigama, confirmed the development to PUNCH Online on Sunday.
Previous reports from April 10 indicated that BOSYA serves as an intermediary between the terrorist group and the affected victims.
Borno State Governor, Babagana Zulum, also confirmed the abductees’ release in a statement by his Special Adviser on Media, Dauda Iliya, on Sunday.
In a statement issued in Abuja on Sunday, Ndume praised the troops for what he described as a remarkable rescue operation, applauding their professionalism and patriotism despite operational challenges.
He said, “We must applaud the professionalism and spectacular patriotism of men and officers of the Nigerian Army who continue to exhibit outstanding courage in the face of obvious logistic challenges.”
The senator expressed gratitude to the Theatre Commander of Operation Hadin Kai, the General Officer Commanding 7 Division, Maiduguri, and the Commander of the 26 Task Force Brigade in Gwoza for their roles in the operation.
He also commended Babagana Zulum, saying the governor’s efforts contributed to the success recorded by security forces.
“I must not fail to mention the selfless efforts of the Borno State Governor, Professor Babagana Zulum, whose imprints could not be ruled out in the weekend’s successful operation by the security forces,” Ndume stated.
The lawmaker further praised the Director-General of the National Emergency Management Agency, Zubaida Umar, for providing relief materials to displaced residents and urged the Federal Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs to support efforts to rebuild Ngoshe.
“From my findings, with military presence in Ngoshe, the people want to leave the Internally Displaced People’s Camps, if the community can be made habitable for them,” he added.
Ndume also called on security agencies to intensify efforts toward securing the release of schoolchildren abducted in Mussa, Askira-Uba Local Government Area, and travellers kidnapped along the Biu-Buratai road.
He equally condemned the killing of soldiers and repentant Boko Haram volunteers in Mandaragra village, Biu Local Government Area.
