Boko Haram releases UNIMAID lecturers, police wives

The Boko Haram insurgents have released three University of Maiduguri (UNIMAID) lecturers and the 10 women abducted from a police convoy in Borno state.

While the lecturers were kidnapped in the Magumeri area of Borno state during a trip on oil exploration in November, the women have been in captivity since June.

According to Garba Shehu, presidential spokesman, the victims were set free following a negation with the sect.

However, he refused to disclose details of the negotiation.

He said President Muhamamdu Buhari expressed happiness with the development during a briefing by the Department of State Services (DSS).

The presidential spokesman quoted the brief given by the DSS as revealing that all the 13 rescued persons are in the custody of the service and are on their way to Abuja with the assistance of the Nigerian army and the air force.

“In expectation of their being brought to the DSS headquarters, he said a team of doctors and psychologists has been placed on standby,” he said in a statement.

“The rescued persons may be presented to the president and thereafter released to their families, if there are no issues of security or medical concerns.

“The President, who got step by step progress reports on the lengthy negotiations while they took place, received the good news with a lot of happiness.

“He commended all those who in one way or the other helped in making the release possible.

“He then urged the DSS and the Nigerian Army to intensify efforts to bring home the remaining Chibok Girls still in the custody of the terrorists.

“The Director-General of the DSS, Lawal Daura, assured the President that they were working hard to bring home the remaining girls and, as soon as possible, bring the Chibok girls saga to an end.”