Nigerian Army Hands Over 277 Rescued Boko Haram Victims to Borno Government
The Nigerian Army has transferred 277 individuals rescued from Boko Haram captivity to the Borno State Government. The handover ceremony took place on Thursday at Maimalari Cantonment in Maiduguri, with Major General Ken Chigbu, Deputy Theatre Commander of the Joint Task Force North-East, overseeing the proceedings.
General Chigbu clarified that the rescued individuals were not Boko Haram members but innocent civilians trapped by the insurgency in Dikwa, Bama, and Monguno LGAs of Borno State. "We consider those in the forest as brothers and sisters who deserve peace, and we appeal to those still in the forest to come out, assuring them that the military is not interested in prolonging the fight," he stated.
The military's objective is to restore normalcy and socioeconomic activities in the region through both kinetic and non-kinetic operations. The non-kinetic operations aim to win the hearts and minds of those still in the forest, providing support and rehabilitation to reintegrate them into their communities.
The military expressed gratitude to Borno State Governor Babagana Umara Zulum, as well as local and international partners, for their support.
Zuwaira Gambo, Commissioner of Women Affairs and Social Development, received the victims on behalf of the Borno government. She commended the military for their successful rescue operation, which freed 277 individuals, including women and children, from captivity.
Commissioner Gambo outlined the support services that will be provided to the rescued individuals. "The rescued women and children will be taken to a specialized center where they will receive a range of services, including mental health and psychosocial support, family tracing for reunification, livelihood programs, and other related services."
She emphasized that the goal is to provide comprehensive support to help them recover from their traumatic experiences and reintegrate 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 support services are designed to address the physical, emotional, and psychological needs of the rescued individuals.
