JUST IN: Boko Haram, ISWAP insurgents free UN Staff, nine others five months after kidnap

After more than five months, Abubakar Garba Idris, a senior Protection Assistant with the United Nations High Commission for Refugees (UNHCR), who was abducted by The Islamic State of West African Province (ISWAP) on Maiduguri/Damaturu highway, has regained freedom.

According to sources who confided in The Nation, Idris, who is popularly known as Alooma, is undergoing medical and military check with troops of Operation Hadin Kai in Maiduguri before he is reunited with his family.

The source also revealed that a businessman, Muazu Bawa, who was also kidnapped on that same day was also released along eight other captives all undergoing debriefing by the military.

Newsclickng.com reports that the insurgents attacked a convoy of travellers close to Matari village between Mainok to Jakana along Maiduguri/Damaturu highway where Alooma was abducted at about 8.30 am Saturday, January 2, 2021.

The insurgents alleged to have dressed in military uniforms mounted a roadblock on the highway with three Hilux vans and motorcycles.

It was revealed that Alooma got into trouble when he tried to throw away his Identification card and was sighted by one of the insurgents.

Muazu Bawa, on the other hand, was in his private vehicle and ran over the Boko Haram checkpoint but his car was shot from behind before the insurgents whisked him away.

Executive Director of Yobe State Network of Civil Society, Abubakar Baba Shehu, who also confirmed the release, prayed for more captives to be freed.

“I was together with someone who called a family member of Alooma and he has confirmed the release of his brother. This is encouraging news and we pray that more captives should be released soon,” Baba Shehu said.

Meanwhile, friends of the freed captives have taken to facebook and other social media platforms to celebrate the release of their friends from Boko haram captivity.