The Nigerian military Joint Task Force, Operation Hadin Kai, in North East Nigeria, has handed over 277 rescued victims of Boko Haram, to the Borno State Government.
The handover was at a brief ceremony at the Maimalari Cantonment in Maiduguri, by the Deputy Theatre Commander, Joint Task Force, Operation Hadin Kai, North-East, Major General Ken Chigbu.
Major General Ken Chigbu disclosed that the victims were rescued from Sambisa Forest and the Chad Basin areas.
He clarified that they were not Boko Haram members, but innocent individuals, trapped by the insurgency in Dikwa, Bama, and Monguno Local Government Areas in 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 explained that the military’s goal is to restore normalcy and socio-economic activities in the region.
The military expressed gratitude to the Borno State Governor, Babagana Zulum, as well as the local and international partners, for their support.
A Director in the Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Development, Aishatu Shettima, who represented the Commissioner, received the victims on behalf of the Borno State Government.
She commended the military for the successful rescue of the 277 persons, made up of 128 women, and 149 children, from captivity.
She outlined the support services that will be provided to the rescued persons.
“The rescued women and children will be taken to a specialised centre where they will receive a range of services, including mental health and psychosocial support, family tracing for reunification, livelihood programmes, and other related services.”
The support services announced by the Borno Government official, are to address the physical, emotional, and psychological needs of the rescued individuals.
Editor : Ena Agbanoma
