Some of the abducted residents of Ngoshe community in Gwoza Local Government Area of Borno State have narrated their experiences in captivity from the suspected Boko Haram/ISWAP terrorists.
Hundreds of troops rescued the victims, who were mainly women and children, and had been kidnapped on March 3, 2026, it was reported.
The released victims have now sought refuge at Pulka Internally Displaced Persons camp. They said they survived their ordeal by the grace of god.
Zainab Ayuba, one of the rescued women who lost her husband, described her experience as horrible and inhuman.
“The experience is horrible and inhuman because I was really sexually molested while in captivity. According to Vanguard “I even prayed that my enemies should not fall victims of Boko Haram terrorists.”
Another victim, 75-year-old Idris Mustapha, said he was lucky to be treated differently from other captives because of his age.
“I thank God and our security agencies for securing our lives,” Mustapha said. I am one of the lucky ones, because I was not molested or treated badly by the terrorists, maybe it is because of my age.
“They fed me three times in a day and were at ease.”
Another rescued woman, who identified herself as Hauwa Yusuf, said she starved while in captivity.
She said she was usually given only one meal a day, mostly guinea corn, maize and powdered grains without soup.
Zulum Visits Pulka Camp
The Governor of Borno State, Babagana Zulum, visited Pulka on Monday and spoke with the victims who were rescued.
“In the latest operation, 357 persons were freed while about 82 others had been released in smaller batches since the abduction, the governor said.
The victims were abducted from Ngoshe, a border town in Gwoza Local Government Area, following an attack by suspected Boko Haram insurgents earlier in the year.
Zulum commended President Bola Tinubu for his role in the efforts to restore peace and secure the release of the abducted residents.
“I want to say thank you very much on behalf of the government and people of Borno State and the Gwoza community in particular to the President and Commander-in-Chief of the Nigerian Armed Forces, Bola Ahmed Tinubu, for all the efforts he has been making to ensure the return of peace and stability not only to Borno State but to the entire country,” Zulum said.
The governor also lauded the military, the Department of State Services (DSS) and other security agencies involved in the operation.
“I also want to seize this opportunity to commend the Nigerian Armed Forces, the office of the National Security Adviser, the Department of State Security and all other security outfits including our gallant Civilian JTF, Forest Guards, Vigilante and Hunters that have contributed immensely in the release of these abducted men, women and children,” Zulum added.
The latest release brought the total number of freed captives to 434, Zulum said.
“We are here to celebrate with the Ngoshe community after the release of 434 abducted women and children. What we saw this morning is about 360 which just came out two days ago. “But two to three weeks ago we also got about other persons, totalling about 434,” he said.
Back To Ngoshe Govt Plans
The governor said the state government had released funds for rehabilitation of the Ngoshe community.
Work in the community is almost complete and talks are underway with residents ready to return, he said.
“The government has released millions of naira for the rehabilitation of Ngoshe community. The work is almost complete. “We are also interfacing with the community on their return to Ngoshe. Those that are willing to return, we are working with the Nigerian military to make institutional arrangements that will ensure their safe and dignified return,” Zulum said.
He also oversaw the distribution of food and non-food relief materials to the rescued persons.
The freed victims are now undergoing medical and psychological support in a government facility, prior to their reintegration into their communities.
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