There are no policewomen in Boko Haram captivity, says Borno command

The Borno state police command says there are no policewomen in the custody of Boko Haram insurgent group as claimed by the sect’s leader Abubakar Shekau.

Female police officers were reportedly abducted after Boko Haram fighters had attacked a convoy of security personnel in the Damboa area of Borno last week.

Shekau had subsequently claimed in a video that the abducted women have become slaves of the group.

But the command said there is no evidence indicating that the abducted officers are being held by the sect.

Isuku Victor, the command’s spokesman, in a statement released on Wednesday, however admitted that two of its personnel are missing

“For avoidance of doubts, and to put records straight, there are no police women under Boko Haram terrorist’s captivity as claimed by the sect leader,” the statement read.

“The command wishes to reiterate as contained in an earlier press briefing by the commissioner of police, Damian A. Chukwu, on 20/06/2017 that: police lorry with Reg. No. NPF 2677 D was carted away.

“Occupants comprise personnel, relations and burial party for late Rahila Antikirya.

“Driver of the police lorry, Kubura Mwada, was shot and injured on his back. He was able to jump down from the lorry and escaped.

“Personnel missing are Fatsuma Sale and Abubakar Haruna. There is no evidence in the video clip indicating that they are in the captivity of the sect.

“Other occupants of the lorry are either relations or sympathizers of the deceased, and were all reported missing in the earlier press briefing. They took advantage of the space in the lorry conveying personal effects of the deceased police woman and joined the burial party.

“The command therefore wishes to advise media organisations and the general public to disregard the claim(s) in the video, as well as social media reports as they are not a true representation of that unfortunate incident.”