43 B’Haram child-fighters escape from captivity

Azem Agouna, spokesman of the Chadian army, says his country’s soldiers have repatriated 43 children kidnapped by Boko Haram and forced to become its fighters.

Speaking in N’djamena, capital of Chad, Agona said the children, all Chadian nationals, were found in Damasak, Borno state.

Damasak was under Boko Haram control until Chadian and Nigerian forces recaptured it in March.

He said the children managed to escape during the clashes between the insurgents and soldiers, while the local families helped them to hide from the insurgents.

He disclosed that when it was certain that Boko Haram had been defeated and would not return to the town, the children came out of their hiding places and asked Chadian security forces for help.

The spokesman said the army would look into how and when Boko Haram abducted the children from Chad.